Tired of watching their offense continue to sputter, the Marlins are reaching down to their minor-league system in hopes of finding a fix. Chris Coghlan, one of the organization's top prospects, is being called up from Triple A New Orleans and will join the Marlins in Denver on Friday.
As Bob Fortus of the New Orleans Times-Picayune is reporting, Coghlan will take the roster spot belonging to pitcher Anibal Sanchez, who is headed to the disabled list after leaving Thursday's game with shoulder discomfort.
Coghlan, 23, is a natural infielder who has split time this season between second and third base. But he started in left field for the Zephyrs on Thursday, a possible indication that the Marlins might tinker a little with him, perhaps as an occasional replacement for one of the team's three slumping outfielders: Cameron Maybin, Jeremy Hermida or Cody Ross. Coghlan could also spell time for either second baseman Dan Uggla or third baseman Emilio Bonifacio, both of whom are also struggling.
As Marlins vice president of player personnel Dan Jennings told Fortus: "He's going to play some in the outfield and some at second base. He's one of those kids who has always had the knack to get the barrel to the ball, from high school to Ole Miss all the way through the system.''
Coghlan is swinging a hot bat for the Zephyrs, hitting .348 with three homers and 22 RBI in 92 at bats. Last season, Coghlan hit .298 at Double A Carolina and stole 34 bases.
One American League scout told me that Coghlan is one of his favorite players to watch in the minors.
'I absolutely love him," the scout said. "I have a gut feel for him. He's going to hit. Defense is going to be average, but he's better than Uggla. This guy has got the potential to be an above-average second baseman, No. 2 hitter or a quality No. 8 hitter. I love the way he goes about the game. There's no downside to this kid."
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