June 8, 2010 at 1:10 PM
Red Sox select Sean Coyle in the third round
The Boston Red Sox selected Sean Coyle, out of Germantown Academy outside Philadelphia, Pa., with the 110th pick of the 2010 Draft. Coyle, who many considered a lock to be drafted by the Sox in between rounds 3 and 5, continues a trend of selecting difficult signs in this range of the draft. Though Coyle has a scholarship awaiting him at the University of North Carolina, all signs point to him eventually signing with the Red Sox for a sum of over $1 million. Coyle is diminutive, standing 5'9", which has earned him the compulsory comparisons to Dustin Pedroia. He has good speed, reportedly running a 6.49 60-yard dash at his workout at Fenway Park a week before the draft. Like Pedroia, do not be fooled by his size. He has demonstrated surprising pop and bat speed, and projects to hit between 10-15 home runs a season in the professional ranks.
On draft day, ESPN's Keith Law reported that Coyle and the Red Sox had agreed to the "parameters" of a contract. While this language indicates no pre-draft deal has been struck, it might hint that Coyle will sign quicker than previous difficult signs taken at the same spot by the Red Sox. There are other factors figuring into this equation, however, including the Red Sox not wanting to earn the ire of the Commissioner's Office by signing Coyle for more than slot money before the August 16 deadline.
Either way, Coyle will be another intriguing position prospect in the Red Sox system who provides dynamic talent with high character.