There’s a Panda blocking Garin Cecchini’s path to the majors.
Cecchini is on the cusp of being major league-ready both offensively and defensively, yet the 23-year-old’s future with the Red Sox remains unclear in the wake of Boston signing fellow third baseman Pablo Sandoval to a five-year, $95 million contract over the offseason.
Cecchini isn’t sweating it.
“Well, I mean, honestly, when I first heard that they signed him, I was happy because I get to work with someone who was a World Series champion, an MVP,” Cecchini recently told MLB.com at Red Sox spring training in Fort Myers. “I know how good a player he is and I can learn all aspects for the game from him and obviously you see how good he is. It’s only a plus that I can learn from someone like that.”
Cecchini made his major league debut in 2014. He appeared in 11 games and hit .258 with one homer, four RBIs and an .813 OPS while bringing a ton of energy to a team stuck in last place in the American League East. There was a chance, albeit a very slim one, Cecchini would become the Red Sox’s third baseman in 2015, but that possibility seemingly evaporated with Kung Fu Panda entering the mix.
Now, Cecchini is positioned to start 2015 at Triple-A Pawtucket, where he spent most of last season. The hype surrounding the former fourth-round pick has cooled a bit, but he’s still considered one of the organization’s top prospects and one of the top third base prospects across Major League Baseball.
“I don’t really think about that,” Cecchini told MLB.com. “I’ve always been told that good players don’t get blocked from the major leagues. I’ve always believed that. I feel like I’m a good player and I feel like I can help the Red Sox win, so any way I can help them win, I’m capable of doing it. You just wait for your opportunity and produce at Triple-A and have patience.”
Cecchini received some work in the outfield last season, opening another avenue to The Show. But even that one appears blocked, meaning Cecchini’s philosophy will be tested in 2015.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
