Toronto Blue Jays: 4 Outfielders Vying for the Opening Day Roster
By Paul Taylor
3) Darrell Ceciliani
Drafted: 4th round in 2009, by the New York Mets
MLB career stats (all last season): 39 games – 1 HR/3 RBI – .206/.270/.279 – 5 SB/4 BB
Review: Drafted in the fourth round of the 2009 draft, Ceciliani was the second-highest player picked from the Northwest that year. He started gaining attention within the Mets organization during 2010, when he led the New York–Penn League in batting average, hits and runs.
That same year, Baseball America ranked the Tracy, California native as the 11th-best prospect in the New York-Penn League and 14th best prospect within the Mets system. Unfortunately, he could not maintain that ranking and fell off the radar somewhat.
As a result, Ceciliani had to wait until last season to get his first taste of Major League action. However, he made an immediate impression, getting a hit in his debut, after coming in as a pinch hitter for New York.
The 25-year old ending up making 39 appearances for the Mets, before being traded to the Blue Jays. Now, he’s hoping to show Gibbons and company what he can do.
If you consider most facets of Ceciliani’s game, solid and decent spring the mind, meaning he is unlikely to make a major impression in Toronto. Furthermore, his main disadvantage is he’s the only one of the four outfield candidates, who is not out of options.
Projection for opening day: Due to his having options, Ceciliani will have to be considerably better than the competition, to secure the backup spot on the opening day roster. Truth be told, he’s likely to start the season in Buffalo and will have to work hard, to earn another shot.
Next: Junior Lake