Under the Red Sox prospect radar: Sean Coyle
By Rick McNair
The Red Sox farm system is getting much praise and certainly attention from other clubs. Blake Swihart, Henry Owens, Rusney Castillo and a few others are considered the blue chip prospects, but there are others a bit lower on the rankings.
Sean Coyle was a third-round selection in the 2010 draft and signed for a reported bonus of 1.3M. Coyle is a 5’8” second baseman who weighs in at 175 pounds and is mentioned as a gritty and determined player. Sound familiar?
The Red Sox now have one of that stature patrolling second and another one of similar size shifted to the outfield. With the recent signing of Yoan Moncada, Coyle may have limited advancement to the big club as a second baseman.
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In 2014 Coyle, 23, produced a slash line of .295/.371/.512 with 16 home runs at 61 RBI in 97 games with Portland in the AA Eastern League. Coyle demonstrates a quick bat and surprising and consistent power for someone his size. Coyle, as happened in 2013, was hampered by a series of injuries that limited his 2014 playing time.
Defensively Coyle is rated fundamentally sound with an accurate arm and excellent range. Coyle’s above average speed and quickness were also on display at Portland with 13 steals in 14 attempts. Coyle has a 88% career success rate on steals.
The 2014 season was also highlighted by a selection to the All Star Futures Game and advancement to the 40 man roster in November of 2014. Both moves show that Coyle is considered a potential MLB contributor.
Spring training will decide if Coyle, a right-handed bat, advances to Pawtucket, where veteran Jemile Weeks will compete to play second. Coyle has also had limited experience at third, but scouting reports question his arm strength for that position.
Coyle currently ranks 13th on Sox Prospects and in 2014 was ranked 12th in MLB’s Red Sox Prospect Watch. If Coyle continues his progress in the International League he will certainly find a home somewhere in MLB.
Sources: Sox Prospects/MLB Prospect Watch