Red Sox 40-man roster slots: Who goes?
By Rick McNair
Mar 7, 2015; Sarasota, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Garin Cecchini (70) at bat against the Baltimore Orioles at a spring training baseball game at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Garin Cecchini: What happened? The powerful left-handed bat of Cecchini seems to have melted like a strawberry sundae at noon in the Sahara Desert. This was a player I thought would be the Boston version of Alex Gordon.
I have seen Cecchini play many times at Pawtucket the last two seasons and I am mystified by his hitting or lack of hitting. An average third baseman with the glove, Cecchini has moved around the diamond with Pawtucket and even saw duty at first base. Versatility can save a career, but poor offensive skills cannot.
The former fourth round pick (2010) slashed .213/.286/.296 at Pawtucket and the early career and very notable gap power Cecchini displayed has become about as extinct as Pterodactyls. A mere 14 doubles in 117 games for a player that was a doubles machine so personified in his early career.
At 24-years-old, there is still hope. Cecchini is mentioned as a throw-in in various deals being whisked about and I certainly hope that happens. Maybe a change of scenery? Maybe a bit more seasoning? But for Boston the door seems closed with too many other and more promising talent options available.