Adopted: Darrell Ceciliani

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Like Edgy's new kid Sean Ratliff, he's a lefthanded hitting center fielder and a 4th round draft choice. Only he was selected in 2009. rather than 2008.

Heard a moment of Wally Backman on the FAN this morning talking him up and recognized that Ceciliani, like Backman, is a hardnosed kid out of the Pacific Northwest. So I think he's gonna have an advocate, and that will help.

The fact that he's hitting 404/415/635 // 1.050 at Brooklyn is nice too. .404 is better than my other two kids combined at the moment.

Darrell is from Madras, Ore., same hometown as the Red Sox' Jacoby Ellsbury. Madras is celebrating its Centennial anniversary this year.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Madras is celebrating its Centennial anniversary this year.

Would a plaid pattern have been a little too on-the-nose?

Anyway, sounds like a fun one, especially given his erstwhile mentor. Plus, he's local for a while, which cuts down on care-package shipping costs. (Am weighing a few Coney prospects.)

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Batting ... .380 ... slugging .600 ... despite ... this ... consarned... constipation...

[MFS62]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Batting ... .380 ... slugging .600 ... despite ... this ... consarned... constipation...

I'm not sure if that picture says he did, or didn't, enter the hot dog eating contest.
Later

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Looking like a NYP MVP:

1st in BA (397)
1st in OBP (449)
9th in SLG (543)
2nd in OPS
2nd in triples
2nd in SB
1st in runs scored

If there's a knock on him it's that he's not walking a whole lot (9 in 116 abs) but geez.

[Edgy MD]

DC went 3-3 with a triple, walk, and stolen base yesterday. He's going from top hitter on the Cyclones to top hitter in Cyclones history.

[Edgy MD]

I realize this guy is getting a late start and is playing largely with younger guys, but holy crap. After going 2-4 for the (running away with the division) Brooklyn Cyclones yesterday, he's up to .391, and has a chance to become the league's first .400 hitter in four decades.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Yeah, he's the bee's asshole, this guy.

One of the things I read about him was that he played in a wood-bat college conference, and that helped him to an advantage vs. many teammates just learning what that's like.

I'm not sure what the Mets have in mind for him next season, Savannah or St. Lucie I suppose.

I'm taking Lunchpail to the Clones game next weekend, will try and get an audience.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Rubin gets up close and personal.

Here's hoping he doesn't get shot in the face by Dick Cheney ... and that his asthma meds don't get him a 50-game vacation.

Also, if he's this great do they need to keep him around to set records?

Farm report: Ceciliani's record season Darrell Ceciliani went undrafted out of high school, although the Brooklyn Cyclones center fielder had extenuating circumstances. Ceciliani did not devote his full attention to baseball then. He served as point guard on his high school basketball team and receiver and free safety on the football team. He also had responsibilities on his family’s 18,000-acre ranch in Madras, Oregon. Bitter Brush Ranch takes clients on fishing tours for trout, steelhead and salmon and hunting tours for deer, elk, antelope and waterfowl. “Growing up, I never played a lot of travel ball. I never went out and played Area Code Games or anything like a lot of guys,” Ceciliani said. “In the summer I played baseball just to get away and hang out with my friends. And I loved the game, so I always wanted to play professional baseball. But I was helping my dad out -- me and my brothers -- on the ranch, trying to get all that stuff done to put food on the table. “We run a cow-calf operation. We’ll breed the cows, raise the calves up and eventually we take them into the sale and butcher them off or whatever we do. We end up selling them. “We also run a hunting and fishing business out there. So we get clients coming in there year-round for certain seasons. Me and my brothers guide them. In the fall, that’s the busiest time. When I get back, after the season, I help my dad out a lot with that.” The elder Ceciliani, also named Darrell, was a promising college football prospect out of high school, but was unable to pursue that ambition because his father passed away and he needed to take over the family dairy farm at the time in California. The Cecilianis coincidentally learned last offseason that Cyclones manager Wally Backman is virtually a neighbor in Oregon. “He’s the next town over -- about 25 miles or so,” Ceciliani said. “He’s real close. I knew the name. Me and my dad were actually sitting around in the offseason when they said they hired Wally Backman for the Cyclones. We looked it up, because we knew he was kind of from around there. It’s been great getting to know the guy now.” Because of subpar grades, Ceciliani enrolled at Columbia Basin Community College rather than a Division I school after going undrafted out of high school. A year later, he was the Mets’ fourth-round draft pick in 2009. He hit .234 with low-A Kingsport after the draft last year. This season, the center fielder leads the New York-Penn League with a .351 average and ranks fourth in steals with 20. With 15 games remaining, the 20-year-old Ceciliani already owns Cyclones single-season records for hits (86), runs (50) and triples (10). If he maintains his average, he will comfortably exceed Jay Caligiuri’s .328 in 2001 for the Brooklyn record. He also is within striking distance of three other records: at-bats with 245 (Kirk Nieuwenhuis, 285, 2008), steals with 20 (Angel Pagan, 30, 2001) and games played with 61 (Ian Bladergroen, 74, 2003 and Caleb Stewart, 74, 2005). Ceciliani recently moved from No. 2 to leadoff with Rylan Sandoval on the DL with a fractured right wrist. He partly credits the upswing in production in his second professional season to having a year of experience under his belt and knowing “what to expect coming into this season.” Under the tutelage of Backman and hitting coach Benny DiStefano, who played in 240 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros, Ceciliani has increased his bunting this season and used that to produce infield singles. “I’ve got 10 or 12 of those this year,” Ceciliani said. “I’m just trying to take advantage of everything the defense gives me and use my speed to my advantage.” The lefty-hitting, lefty-throwing Ceciliani was within nine points of a .400 average as late as Aug. 1. He was bidding to become the first player to reach that plateau in the New York-Penn League since Jack Maloof hit .402 for Auburn in 1971. Maloof’s career topped out in Triple-A. “I’ve heard a lot about it,” Ceciliani said. “It’s probably not going to happen, to be honest. Not too many guys have ever done that. I’m still young and still learning the game. I was never worried about the average. In the back of my head, hitting .400 for a whole season would have been pretty unbelievable. It would have been great to do it. I’m still trying to go out and have a successful season. I don’t have to hit .400 to do it.” Ceciliani sat out Monday’s game for Brooklyn when asthma flared up. He was slated to be back in the lineup Tuesday, but the Cyclones’ game against Hudson Valley was rained out. Ceciliani said the asthma issue, which tormented him last year, is mostly in the past now. “Last year was bad. I couldn’t stay healthy,” Ceciliani said. “I’ve really worked hard on trying to stay healthy so I can be on the field as much as possible. This is my first episode I’ve had of it [this year]. It’s really when I get a cold, my lungs just kind of close up and my asthma kicks in. It wasn’t too bad. From all the stuff I did in the offseason working with doctors, it’s 100 times better than it was. I’m trying a bunch of different stuff. Right now it’s all kind of an experiment. We’re seeing if it works. I got on a couple of different medications that took the inflammation down. I’m working with a doctor now. It makes the body heal itself.”

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Led off the bottom of the 10th with a walkoff HR last night: Brooklyn 4, Aberdeen 3.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

CECILIANI WINS BATTING TITLE 09/05/2010 5:06 PM Cyclones centerfielder Darrell Ceciliani sported a strange new haircut for the final game of the season, and by the end of the game his newly-shorn head was wearing a crown as the 2010 New York-Penn League batting champion. Ceciliani's .351 average is the highest single-season mark in franchise history, and the 20-year-old Madras, Oregon native -- the youngest player on the 2010 roster -- becomes the first Cyclones player ever to win the NYPL batting title. Ceciliani has set a variety of offensive records this year, in addition to his .351 batting average. Darrell has also established new franchise highs with 95 hits, 56 runs, and 12 triples this season.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Will be at Citifield on Wednesday to collect his Sterling Award hardware.

[Edgy MD]

In the final game of the playoffs, Ceciliani went 3-4 with a 2B, a run, and a caught stealing. After flirting with .400 and winning the batting title, he hit .474 in the playoffs. He even starred in the New York Penn League All-Star game. A completely excellent season for an excellent team.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Darrell Ceciliani Ceciliani finishes instructional league with compliments of the organization, praising his hard work and determination to get to the Big Leagues and get there soon! 43 minutes ago · 1 · Comment · Like

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Afterward, they went to a hair clinic

Hangin’ with Ceciliani Mets’ outfielder takes time to help J.C. youth N.Y. Mets minor league prospect Darrell Ceciliani helped host a baseball clinic at Jefferson County Middle School Feb. 19 that drew just over 50 participants by Joe McHaney One of the New York Mets' top prospects paid a visit to Jefferson County Middle School last Saturday. Darrell Ceciliani, who graduated from Madras High School in 2008, hosted a baseball clinic Feb. 19 and it drew just over 50 kids, who received instruction on baseball fundamentals. "I'm not going to forget where I came from and I'm proud of Madras, where I grew up playing ball," said Ceciliani, who is the N.Y Mets No. 6-ranked minor league prospect. "We had a lot of fun with the kids and as of now, I want to try and get back once a year to help give back to Madras." Ceciliani was one of several minor league prospects that helped the youngsters at the baseball clinic. He joked with players, signed autographs and fielded a question and answer session at the conclusion of the clinic that drew plenty of laughs. "It was fun to joke around with the kids and we wanted to get our main point across to the kids that playing baseball is fun," Ceciliani said. The Mets outfielder donated $250 for 10 participants to attend the camp for free and Ceciliani donated all proceeds to Madras High School baseball. "Darrell has a huge heart and I know he wants to give back to Madras every year," said Nik Lubisich, who is Ceciliani's agent and former Chicago White Sox. "I think the camp was huge for the kids that attended, because they were able to interact with the players." Erik Stavert of the Colorado Rockies, Ryan Brett of the Tampa Bay Rays and Alex Burg of the San Francisco Giants helped with instruction. All three minor league players, along with Ceciliani, stayed nearly an hour past the scheduled end time of the clinic to interact with the kids. "The end of the camp was just hilarious," Randall said. "It was really enjoyable to see the kids have so much fun with the players." The youths were also able to interact with several Madras High School baseball players as well during the camp. "I think it was important for the kids to see those professional baseball players working on the same drills the high school players are doing and that they will be doing," Randall said. Ceciliani will travel to the N.Y. Mets spring training this week to tryout with hopes of playing for the St. Lucie Mets - a Class A advanced affiliate of the Mets. Last year, Ceciliani had a record-setting season with the Mets affiliate Brooklyn Cyclones, setting franchise records in average, hits, triples and runs scored. "It's very exciting," Lubisich said. "Great things are to come for Darrell."

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Spotted wearing Number 0 at a recent game. Batting .500 this spring.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Tommy (Queens NY): Morning to you Paul, personally what prospect that has flown under the radar has intrigued you the most as say a potential sleeper ? Paul DePodesta: Tommy, if I mention him now, he won't be a sleeper anymore! There are a few guys I like that don't seem to have gotten a lot of popular attention. Two of them are Aderlin Rodriguez and Darrell Ceciliani. Both played for short-season clubs last year, and I suspect both will be in full-season this summer and will be given a little more exposure. Rodriguez has big power and is just beginning to come into his own. Ceciliani is a throw-back type player - good at-bats, good runner, plays CF, doesn't wear batting gloves. It's easy to root for both of them.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

@DCintheplace2b Darrell Ceciliani Gonna be takin' my talents to Savannah in April! LOL 5 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Benjamin Grimm]

LOL!

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Doubled and homered in his first two at-bats of the season.

But: Placed on the DL today with a hammy strain.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Back in the Sand Gnats lineup as of May 5, still getting his sealegs.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Ceciliani ends slump, goes 5-for-5 05/14/2011 11:07 PM ET By Ashley Marshall / Special to MLB.com Darrell Ceciliani said his early-season slump was the result of trying to be too aggressive at the plate. He put those struggles behind him on Saturday. The Mets outfield prospect went 5-for-5 with four runs scored and three RBIs to lead the Savannah Sand Gnats to a 12-2 rout of the Rome Braves. "It felt great tonight. I've been struggling the past week and a half since coming back, and I'd never had a five-hit ball game in the pros before," Ceciliani said. "To be honest, I don't think I've had five hits in any game ever, not even in a doubleheader." The 2009 fourth-round Draft pick had found the transition from the short-season New York-Penn League to the Class A South Atlantic League difficult. An All-Star with the Brooklyn Cyclones last summer, Ceciliani had only two multi-hit efforts in 14 games this season. And he hadn't plated more than one run since driving in a pair on Opening Day. Ceciliani also missed more than three weeks after pulling his hamstring. He appeared to get back on track in Rome, both with the bat and on the basepaths. The 20-year-old Oregon native led off the game with a single, advanced to second on an errant pickoff attempt and scored on Cory Vaughn's double. He singled with one out in the third, stole second, took third on a throwing error and trotted home on Robbie Shields' single. Ceciliani ripped a one-out RBI double in the fifth, then drove in two more runs with a single in the seventh ahead of Aderlin Rodriguez's seventh homer. He completed the five-hit night with an opposite-field single in the eighth, then scored again on Shields' bases-loaded triple. "Because I'd been struggling, I just wanted to see some pitches," Ceciliani said. "It's definitely one of my roles as a leadoff hitter and I have to find ways to scrap and get on base for the 4-5-6 hitters. "I'd been trying to be too aggressive and swing my way out of my slump, so today I was letting the ball come to me and keep my hands inside the ball instead of rolling over it and hitting choppers to second." Ceciliani had a shot at a sixth hit but was plunked by reliever Wesley Alsup to load the bases with two outs in the ninth. "I was thinking about maybe a sixth hit," Ceciliani said, "but I was more concerned with putting a good swing on the ball and hitting it hard somewhere." Ceciliani had a four-hit game for Rookie-level Kingsport on July 23, 2009. He tied his career high for runs in a game, set on July 4, 2009, when he finished a triple shy of the cycle. The three RBIs were one short of a career best, set last Aug. 5 for the Cyclones. The big night raised Ceciliani's batting average 74 points to .278. A year ago, he led the New York-Penn League with a .351 average, 56 runs scored and 12 triples, finishing third with a .410 on-base percentage.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Darrell's got a 7-game hitting streak going, including a 3-hit game the other night including his 4th HR of the year.

Slashing 245/339/388, but heating up, we hope.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

245/344/370 // 714

Whiffing too much, and been a little banged up, not a great year for DC so far.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

244/340/351//691

Long season in Savannah

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

243/330/343//673

dog days

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Two hits each in three of his last 4 games, mostly singles still.

247/336/342 // 678

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Improving a little

254/340/348//688

[Frayed Knot]

From BA -- Low Class A Savannah CF Darrell Ceciliani, 21, is finishing 2011 with a flourish, batting .320/.421/.443 (31-for-97) with nine extra-base hits and 16 walks in August. The Mets 2009 fourth-rounder batted 11-for-21 (.524) this week with two doubles and three triples

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Darrell Ceciliani Darrell and the Savannah Sand Gnats to face Greensboro tonight in the first game of a best of 5 series for the South Atlantic League Title. Darrell led the Sand Gnats in the first round of the playoffs with a .545 batting average including a 4 for 4 night. Follow Darrell tonight at 7PM EST on MILB.com and go Gnats!