Mets Minor League News: Cecchini Signs, Egbert to AAA, Wheeler Dominates

By Matt Musico
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There was plenty of news last night about the Mets after R.A. Dickey‘s domination in yesterday afternoon’s finale against the Nationals. Gavin Cecchini grabbed most headlines as he already agreed to a contract with the Mets, less than a week after the organization drafted the high school shortstop with their first pick in the first year amateur player draft.

After his experience at Citi Field on Friday speaking with current Mets players and sticking around to watch Johan Santana‘s no-hitter, Cecchini revealed on Monday that he only wanted to play for the Amazins, and was ecstatic when New York took him with the 12th pick. However, we saw just how much he wanted to be a Met yesterday when Cecchini agreed to terms. The recommended value for a player going at his spot in the draft is $2.55 million. Cecchini ended up signing with the Mets for $2.3 million, $255,000

less than what is recommended for a player in his position. Obviously, it’s not like Cecchini was cheated because he’s still making a couple million dollars, but these negotiations went smooth and extremely quick, showing the organization his desire to be with the team. The agreement is pending a physical, and the newest shortstop in the Mets organization announced on Twitter that he was on his way to New York to finalize the deal. Cecchini is scheduled to report to Port St. Lucie for mini-camp this Monday, then join Kingsport (R) of the Appalachian League when their season opens on Tuesday, June 19th.

When Chris Young‘s contract was purchased from Triple-A Buffalo before he took the mound Tuesday night against the Nationals, Terry Collins unfortunately had to DFA reliever Jack Egbert. The right-handed pitcher only made one appearance, but it was a solid one against the Phillies as he cleaned up the mess than Manny Acosta made. Egbert threw 0.2 innings to put an end to the Philly rally on Memorial Day, and impressed the coaching staff with what he had to offer . Thankfully for the Mets, he cleared waivers and was assigned to rejoin the Bisons. With some of the inconsistency that Collins has dealt with in his bullpen this year, he complimented Egbert and his sinker, citing that he wouldn’t be surprised if the team called upon his services at the Major League level again this year.

This is now starting to become routine, but Zack Wheeler made another start last night for Double-A Binghamton, and the Mets top prospect didn’t disappoint. He threw 7 shutout innings en route to his sixth straight win on the season. The righty did have a little trouble finding the strike zone; he walked 4 hitters and hit another in his 104-pitch performance, but he was able to hold the Harrisburg Senators to one unearned run, due to three booted balls by the infield behind Wheeler. He did string together his fifth straight start with 7 or more strikeouts, and has now fanned 67 batters in 59.2 innings. On the year, Wheeler is 6-2 with a 1.66 ERA, while opposing hitters are hitting only .160 off him thus far. Ace in training? I think so.

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