Cecchini in the lineup as Portland travels to Trenton.
Portland opens up a three-game series on Friday night against the Trenton Thunder (Yankees affiliate) from Waterfront Park…The Sea Dogs managed a split of a four-game series in Reading to start the trip. Last night, Keith Couch earned his 5th win of the season for Portland.
Special thanks to NESN for airing my interview with Anthony Ranaudo on their pre-game show.
2013 Video Interviews and Highlights
Coverage begins at 6:45 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network
Portland Lineup: Johnson 9, Wilkerson 8, Cecchini 5, Almanzar DH, Shaw 3, Vazquez 2, Vitek 7, Meneses 6, Gibson 4, Britton LHP
Trenton Lineup: Flores 7, Heathcott 8, Austin 9, Roller 3, Angelini 6, Clark DH, Corono 5, Pirela 4, Farnham 2, Allen RHP
OFFICIAL CECCHINI PRESS RELEASE
The Boston Red Sox have assigned third baseman Garin Cecchini (check-E-nee) to Portland from High-A Salem Red Sox. Cecchini is set to make his Double-A debut in Friday night’s game against the Trenton Thunder (Yankees affiliate) at Waterfront Park in Trenton, N.J. The addition of Cecchini puts Portland’s roster at the maximum of 25.
Cecchini is ranked the #8 Prospect in the Red Sox system according to by Baseball America, and selected as having the Best Infield Arm. In 63 games with the Salem Red Sox, Cecchini led the Carolina League in hitting at .350 (75-for-214), added 5 homers and 33 RBI. He also paced the league in walks (43), on-base percentage (.469) and was second in slugging percentage (.547). Cecchini’s stat line with Salem: .350, 44 RS, 5 HR, 33 RBI, 19 2B, 4 3B, 43 BB, 34 SO and 15 for 22 in stolen bases.
The 22-year-old was a fourth round pick by the Red Sox in 2010 out of Barbe High School (father Glenn was his coach) in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He didn’t play his senior year of high school due to a ACL tear in his right knee, and made his professional debut with the Lowell Spinners in 2011.
In 2012, Cecchini was named the Red Sox’s 2012 Base Runner of the Year after leading the organization in stolen bases with 51. He hit .305 (139-for-455) with 4 homers and 62 RBI for Low-A Greenville Drive, ranking third in South Atlantic League in doubles (38) and fourth in runs scored (84).
Cecchini’s professional debut in 2011 with the Lowell Spinners was limited to 32 games due to injury. He batted .298 (34-for-114) with 3 homers and 23 RBI and was leading the New York-Penn League in doubles (12) and ranked fourth in stolen bases (12) and fifth in RBIs.
His brother Gavin was the 12th overall pick by the New York Mets in the 2012 June Draft.
