Sean Coyle

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #28 prospect in 2016
  Coyle followed his career-best 2014 campaign--a year in which his improved offensive approach allowed his surprising plus power to play--with his most disappointing. In the continuation of an ongoing pattern, he was limited drastically by injuries, playing just 52 games in 2015 (39 at Triple-A Pawtucket, where he opened the year) due primarily to an upper-back/trapezius issue. In his five full pro seasons, he's averaged just 86 games a year. On the field, Coyle posted dreadful numbers, hitting just .159/.274/.302 and striking out nearly 30 percent of the time at Pawtucket. He's a streaky offensive player with a considerable gap between his on-field ceiling and floor. When locked in, Coyle can produce homers and extra-base hits in bunches in a fashion that suggests a potential everyday second baseman (with the athleticism to contribute in the outfield and perhaps at third base). However, if he remains unable to withstand the demands of playing everyday, it may be hard for him to turn his big swing into steady results in a part-time role.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #17 prospect in 2015
  Coyle rekindled his prospect status by pulverizing the ball at Double-A Portland in 2014, particularly in a first half. He still showed a considerable amount of swing and miss (25 percent strikeout rate), but his increased willingness to drive the ball to all fields (with impressive power to right-center) contributed to a jump in his hard-hit rate. An average runner, Coyle also showed solid defensive actions both at second base and in his first trial at third, where he has an average arm. However, in the continuation of a career pattern, injuries restricted him to 97 games in 2014 and contributed to significant durability questions from a 5-foot-8 player who has never played more than 116 games in a season. The uncertainty about Coyle's ability to stay on the field inhibits his prospect status, even as he joined the 40-man roster in the offseason and prepared for an assignment to Triple-A Pawtucket in 2015.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #30 prospect in 2014
  The Red Sox signed Coyle, a 2010 third-rounder, away from a scholarship to North Carolina with a $1.3 million bonus. If he hadn't signed, he would have joined brother Tommy, now a second basemen in the Rays system, on the Tar Heels infield. Boston believed Sean Coyle had the potential for 25 homers, with a chance to develop into an average defender at second base and provide excess baserunning value. He's a perfect 27-for-27 in stolen base attempts in two seasons at high Class A Salem. Coyle has lived up to that potential at times--foremost in the early stages of 2013, when he hit nine homers in 17 games at Salem--but from that point forward, his season unraveled due to ongoing challenges staying healthy and over-aggressiveness at the plate. He missed two months with a knee injury, then had an elbow issue at the end of the year that cost him an assignment to the Arizona Fall League. Some wonder if his makeup will permit him to accept the game's inherent failure. He spent his second straight season in the Carolina League in 2013, but given Coyle's plus speed, average glove and chance to unlock at least average power, he could be a late-bloomer. The Red Sox must decide how to divvy up playing time at the keystone for Coyle and Mookie Betts at Double-A Portland in 2014, and it's a crossroads season for the former.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #24 prospect in 2013
  One of the Carolina League's youngest players last year at age 20, Coyle got off to a slow start and compounded his problems by overswinging and chasing pitches out of the strike zone. He hit just .211/.285/.343 in the first half before tightening his approach and batting .297/.355/.451 after the all-star break. That's the kind of offensive production that led the Red Sox to invest $1.3 million in him as a third-round pick in 2010. Because he's a 5-foot-8 second baseman in the Boston system, he inevitably draws Dustin Pedroia comparisons. Those are a stretch, though Coyle does have surprising pop for his size and plays an aggressive, instinctive game. His bat speed, strong lower half and hand-eye coordination give him average power. He's at his best when he works counts and uses the middle of the field. The Red Sox expected that he might have growing pains in high Class A, but they were surprised that his walk total dropped to 29 from 60 the year before. Coyle has plus speed and went a perfect 16-for-16 stealing bases last season, but scouts would like him to get more out of his quickness by bunting and attempting steals more often. He has solid range, hands and arm strength on defense, and he topped Carolina League second basemen with a .967 fielding percentage. Coyle will advance to Double-A in 2013 and should be close to big league-ready when Pedroia's contract expires after the 2014 season.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #14 prospect in 2012
  Coyle may stand just 5-foot-8, but Boston believed enough in his bat to invest a thirdround pick and a $1.3 million in him in 2010. He justified that faith by posting an .826 OPS in low Class A as a 19-year-old, and his toughness was even more impressive. An errant pitch hit him the face and broke his jaw in June, yet he missed just 10 days and batted .268/.375/.460 in the second half. As a tiny second baseman in the Red Sox system, Coyle can't avoid some Dustin Pedroia comparisons. They only work to a point, because Coyle has more natural power but isn't the same hitter or defender. He produces solid pop with his bat speed, strong lower half and ability to barrel the ball. He has the patience to draw walks and wait for pitches to drive, though he'll have to make more contact at higher levels. Coyle has plus speed and good instincts on the bases, and he knows how to pick his spots to steal a few bases. He has all the ingredients to become a quality defender at second base, as his quickness, hands and arm are all assets. Boston doesn't need to rush him and will advance him one level at a time, with high Class A his next stop in 2012.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #13 prospect in 2011
  The Red Sox already struck it rich with one diminutive second baseman in Dustin Pedroia, and they're hoping history repeats itself with Coyle. They drafted him in the third round last June and signed him away from a commitment to North Carolina, where his brother Tommy is the starting second baseman, for $1.3 million at the Aug. 16 deadline. He stands out with his offense, and his overall game resembles that of Brian Roberts more than Pedroia's. Coyle's compact stroke isn't a surprise given his size, but his power is. He has a strong lower half and uncanny hand-eye coordination, allowing him to barrel balls all over the field, and he should be a doubles machine who can reach double digits in homers annually. He's a plus runner with good instincts and an aggressive nature on the bases, though he could lose a step as he fills out. A shortstop in high school, Coyle played third base on the U.S. national team that won the gold medal at the Pan American Junior Championships in October 2009. He'll be a second baseman as a pro, and he has the quickness, range, hands and arm to be a plus defender there. Though he played just three pro games after signing late, Coyle is advanced enough at the plate to possibly start 2011 in low Class A.