Cecchini received a spring training invite from the Royals on Saturday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cecchini was reported to have a shot at the 25-man roster after being traded to Milwaukee in 2016, but he spent all of 2016 in Triple-A Colorado Spring, where he hit a mediocre .271/.325/.380 in 469 plate appearances. He'll make another run at the big leagues in 2017 with the Royals, but will likely need to show some significant improvement and receive some depth chart help to get there.

Cecchini was outrighted to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Cecchini's first year in the Brewers' organization was a letdown, as the 25-year-old posted a .705 OPS in the hitter-friendly PCL, leading to his removal from the 40-man roster Friday. There's always a chance he could attend major league spring training as a non-roster invitee, but it doesn't seem like he's in the team's plans for 2017.

Cecchini is 17-for-58 (.293) with a home run and four RBI through 16 games with Triple-A Colorado Springs.

EDGE Analysis

Cecchini is doing a good job hitting for average, but his .317 OBP and .379 slugging percentage leave a little to be desired. He will continue playing regularly for Colorado Springs, and could be an option for the Brewers at some point later this season.

Cecchini was optioned to minor league camp Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Cecchini appeared in two major league games last season as a member of the Red Sox, but he'll likely open the year at Triple-A, where he spent the bulk of 2015. in 117 Triple-A games, Cecchini slashed .213/.286/.296 with 28 RBI and 40 walks.

Manager Craig Counsell said that Cecchini will have a chance to make the Brewers roster despite the fact that Aaron Hill will get the first crack at the starting third base job, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cecchini's ceiling is limited by the fact that Hill is expected to be the starter, but it's reassuring to know that his role doesn't hinge on garnering the starting role. Although Cecchini's batting stats were rough in 2015, he does possess good defensive utility, as he played significantly at both first base and left field with Triple-A Pawtucket last season, which could bode well for him as he seeks a bench role with Milwaukee.

Cecchini was traded to the Brewers on Thursday for cash considerations, the Boston Globe's Alex Speier reports.

EDGE Analysis

This trade makes a lot of sense, as the Red Sox recently designated Cecchini for assignment, so he clearly wasn't going to get a shot in that organization. The Brewers, on the other hand, have Jonathan Villar and Yadiel Rivera atop the organizational depth chart at the hot corner, so Cecchini should finally get an extended opportunity to prove he belongs in the big leagues. The former high-end prospect may just not be a big league caliber hitter, as he has a .229 career average in 40 MLB plate appearances and hit .213 at Triple-A last year, but the Brewers are making a low-risk bet on pedigree. He will compete to be the Opening Day third baseman during spring training.

Cecchini was designated for assignment Friday, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

The club made the signing of David Price official Friday, so Cecchini was a casualty of the team needing space on the 40-man roster. He spent the majority of last season with Triple-A Pawtucket, slashing just .213/.286/.296 and seems resigned to a minor league role again next season.

Cecchini went 4-for-5 with two homers and three runs scored for Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday. Until this season, Cecchini was thought about as inevitable major leaguer based on his approach at the plate, but his status has taken a hit as his numbers are way down across the board (.201/.271/.317/.588). There's no room for him at this time in Boston and his trade value is nowhere near it was two years ago.

Cecchini went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts for Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday. His average dipped to .185. Cecchini was billed as a pure hitter, a possessor of a great swing, but his results in 2015 represent a marked departure from his previous seasons. He's striking out at a 28.7 percent rate, after never whiffing more than 21.6 percent in any previous season. Cecchini's made much less of an impact since hitting the Triple-A level.

Cecchini (shoulder) was activated from the disabled list Sunday. Cecchini served as the designated hitter for Triple-A Pawtucket, going 1-for-3 with a walk Sunday.