PCL notes: Cecchini soaking it in with 51s

Gavin Cecchini is inching ever closer to the Major Leagues. But he knows that getting there and staying there are two completely different things.

Cecchini is the younger brother of Garin Cecchini, a one-time top prospect in the Red Sox organization who never panned out in Boston.

"Things happen; it's not because he didn't work hard, it's not because he didn't do the things he was supposed to do," Gavin Cecchini said. "He's a hard-working kid and it just didn't work out with that organization."

The younger Cecchini is one step away from the Majors with Las Vegas. The Mets' third-ranked prospect is a shortstop who's hit well (.314/.375/.409, 2 HR, 19 RBIs) to start the season.

Right now, it's all about soaking up everything he can from his veteran teammates and the 51s' coaching staff.

"There's a lot of experience on our team, so whenever you can be around a group of guys who have that knowledge and have played in the big leagues before [is great]," Cecchini said. "And then not to mention just my teammates but our coaching staff. Wally [Backman] played 14 years, I think that's what he played, and obviously Frank [Viola], the things he did in the big leagues speak for itself, and Jack [Voigt] played for a while in the big leagues, too.

"Whenever you have that, it's really good because that's where I want to be, I want to be in the big leagues. As much as I can pick their brain and soak up everything like a sponge, the better off I'll be."

A 2012 first-round Draft pick, Cecchini said the Mets don't have him working on any specific part of his game.

"There's not one certain aspect that I'm trying to get better, it's all aspects -- hitting, fielding, baserunning," he said. "This game, you've got to keep working, you've got to keep making adjustments. That's what this game is all about. As long as I keep making adjustments accordingly and keep taking care of my business and keep trying to get better every single day, everything else is going to take care of itself."

While most of the season has been a plus for Cecchini, there was one slight disappointment. Older brother Garin is playing for the Brewers' top affiliate at Colorado Springs, setting up the chance for a first meeting between the two as professionals. Alas, it did not pan out.

"Yeah, we got to play against Colorado Springs at Colorado Springs, but I was hurt then," Gavin Cecchini said. "I didn't get to play in those games. We played together in high school baseball for two years, but that was the first time since we got drafted."

The Cecchini family came up from their home in Louisiana for the series.

"They didn't have the half jerseys, but they were rooting for both teams," Cecchini said. "It was pretty cool, a good family experience."

In brief

Climbing Cub: Iowa catcher Willson Contreras is making his case for a promotion. The Cubs' No. 2 prospect is fourth in the PCL with a .353 batting average, third with a .444 on-base percentage and fourth with a .595 slugging percentage.

Back on track: Dodgers No. 4 prospect Frankie Montas has continued to round back into form after an early-season injury. During his rehab stint with Oklahoma City, the right-hander has a 1.23 ERA and 11 strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings in two starts and one relief appearance.

Gaining Healy-um: Nashville has benefited from corner infielder Ryon Healy since his promotion from Double-A Midland. In 23 games, the A's No. 17 prospect has hit .352/.402/.571 with three homers and 15 RBIs.