Chris Coghlan

2013

Subscribe now to see our 2013 outlook.

2012

Coghlan's transition to center field last season was a total disaster. He never seemed comfortable defensively and had a miserable season at the plate when he managed to stay healthy. Things were no better for Coghlan at Triple-A, and just two seasons after winning the NL Rookie of the Year award there's now no apparent room for him on the Marlins' major league roster. He may need a trade to get his career back on track, but his sub-.400 slugging percentage each of the last two seasons points to rapidly diminishing upside.

2011

The sophomore jinx hit Coghlan hard. His walk rate dropped, his strikeout rate shot up and then to cap it off he tore his MCL in July while delivering a shaving cream pie to Wes Helms' face following Helms' walk-off hit. On the bright side his BABIP and line-drive rate stayed strong, which points to better offensive days ahead, but a discussed move to center field could open him up to further injury if he proves to be overmatched defensively. The Marlins have holes at second base and third base too, though, spots that would be much better fits for Coghlan's skills. If he gets back on track, and on base with the frequency he did as a rookie, he could score a lot of runs hitting ahead of Hanley Ramirez and Mike Stanton.

2010

After a hot start at Triple-A, Coghlan was called up to the majors and quickly took over the starting left-field and leadoff jobs. His ridiculous hitting at the end of the year (.388 batting average over August and September, and he led the majors in hits in the second half) won him the NL Rookie of the Year award, but it's his solid walk rate and all-around skill set that will keep him at the top of the Marlins' batting order. He could shift to second base (his main position in the minors) if Dan Uggla gets penny-pinched out of town, which would give him some extra multi-position value. His fantasy numbers don't look especially impressive, but there's still some upside here even if his batting average returns to a more sustainable .280 or so, and Coghlan could be the kind of player who gets undervalued by the "smart" crowd who expect him to be overvalued based on his Rookie of the Year status.

2009

Coglan's power took a dip at Double-A in 2008, but his patience and speed still mark him as the Marlins' second baseman of the future. That future will be a lot clearer once Dan Uggla's contract status gets decided; if the Marlins sign Uggla to a long-term deal there'll be no room for Coglan, but a one-year deal through arbitration sends a signal that 2010 could be Coglan's year to step forward.

2008

He showed a very nice blend of gap power, speed and patience in Low-A but struggled after a promotion, and at 22 could hardly be considered young for Low-A. If he takes another step forward in 2008 he could end up being a candidate to replace Miguel Cabrera at third base, but the Marlins have also experimented with him at second so his eventual future position is still up in the air. A lot will depend on whether he can start turning some of his doubles into home runs at higher levels.

2007

Coghlan, a supplemental first round pick last year, didn't exactly dispel notions that he could have trouble hitting for power as a pro, collecting just six extra base hits and no home runs in 94 at bats in the New York-Penn League. More encouraging were his 13/10 BB/K ratio and .298 batting average, but he needs to start hitting with more authority before he'll move up the prospect ladder.