Top 5 Most Underrated Prospects-Darrell Ceciliani

With so many players in farm systems across baseball, sometimes players get lost in the shuffle. While some players are sometimes grossly over-rated, there are some that are very highly underrated, and yet, they go-on to have long Major league careers.

In this 5-part series, I will name 5 players that are very highly underrated, and could be that sneaky "player to be named later" of a trade that haunts the organization that traded them away, forever.

3. Darrell Ceciliani, CF, New York Mets (A+)
Not every team has the type of lead-off-hitter that can change a game almost, entirely by himself. With the kind of speed that makes the pitcher rue the mistake that allowed him to reach base. The New York Mets had one, and now Miami has that same one. However The Port St. Lucie Mets have one as well, and his name is Darrell Ceciliani.

So little mention is made of him, it is almost as if the Mets do not realize what they have in him, or perhaps, he is a secret weapon of sorts. One could argue, that he is overlooked, because if you simply look at his stat line, nothing jumps out in particular, his stolen base numbers are not indicative of his speed, and he does not hit for power.

 Ceciliani with the Savannah Sand Gnats

However, what he lacks in stolen base numbers, or power, he makes up for with the fact that he was without a doubt, born to be a lead-off-hitter. Not only that, but he is an excellent Center Fielder. I would consider him to be a five-tool player, if you substitute solid baseball instinct for power.

Although he doesn't have the flashy stolen base numbers, that say Reds prospect Billy Hamilton has, but rest assured, when he needs to steal a base, he does it, reminiscent of Dave Roberts in game 4 of the 2004 ALCS.

He is an excellent base-runner, has an excellent arm, and manufactures so many runs, that if runs were a trade-able commodity, the economy would be saved. He was the lead-off-hitter, for those 2010 Brooklyn Cyclones that went 51-24, and was the definition of catalyst.

In all of the years I have been a fan of baseball, I cannot think of a player that was more exciting, or fun to watch, and that includes Jose Reyes.

I cannot understand why he is not more widely talked about as a top prospect for the Mets. He is not even ranked in the organizational top 10, according to Baseball America.

When he does make it to the Majors, he will be the type of catalyst that teams ride to the playoffs, and that change games. He is a game changer, he is a lead-off-hitter, and he is very, very underrated.

Perhaps, if the Mets make a serious run for the playoffs in 2012, especially as a September call-up, he could be used as a pinch runner down the stretch.  He certainly could provide the classic type of lead-off hitter the Mets are currently in need of.

-MJ