Brewers acquire Cecchini from Red Sox

One prospect received a clearer path to the Majors on Thursday, and it didn't require the intervention of the Rule 5 Draft.

The Brewers acquired No. 11 Red Sox prospect Garin Cecchini from Boston for cash considerations. The third baseman/outfielder was designated for assignment last Friday following his former club's signing of All-Star left-hander David Price. 

Cecchini, who hits from the left side, struggled mightily during his second stint at Triple-A Pawtucket in 2015, during which he produced a .213/.286/.296 line -- career lows in each category -- with seven homers, 14 doubles and a career-high 100 strikeouts. He played in two games with the Red Sox and went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. It's worth noting that this past season was the first in which the 24-year-old's primary position was in the outfield after he spent his first four seasons working mostly at the hot corner. 

There remains hope that 2015 was just one down year for the 2010 fourth-rounder. Even with those poor numbers, Cecchini owns a career .279/.372/.402 line in the Minors, and during the season MLB.com gave him an above-average 55 grade on the 20-80 scale for his hit tool.

The Brewers are hoping to turn the former top-100 prospect's career around. Milwaukee lacks a solid option at either corner infield spot after trading the recently retired Aramis Ramirez last season and dealing Adam Lind to Seattle earlier this week. Cecchini, who played 23 games at first for Pawtucket, could fill either role if Milwaukee decides to throw him into the fire rather than have him find his form again at Triple-A Colorado Springs. If the roster stands pat, Cecchini would likely compete with the recently acquired Jonathan Villar at third and Jason Rogers at first come Spring Training. 

With the move and the club's selection of second baseman Colin Walsh in the Rule 5 Draft, the Brewers have 37 players on their 40-man roster, signifying that more moves could be on the way.