The University of Mississippi Athletics
Coghlan Named National League Rookie of the Year
11/16/2009 | Baseball
OXFORD, Miss. - Former Ole Miss third baseman and current outfielder with the Florida Marlins, Chris Coghlan was named the National League Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writer's Association of America on Monday.
Coghlan is the third Rookie of the Year selection for the Florida franchise, as Dontrelle Willis (2003) and Hanley Ramirez (2006) both brought home the award.
"We're very proud of Chris and all that he has accomplished," said Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco. "It's a well deserved honor and the entire Ole Miss family is proud of him."
Coghlan had an outstanding season for the Marlins after moving up to the big leagues on May 8, promptly shifting from the infield to the outfield for the Florida franchise. The converted outfielder moved into the top of the batting lineup and adjusted to his new role quickly.
The 24-year-old hit .321 for the season to lead all rookies in batting average and also posted a .390 on base percentage. He converted that on base percentage into a solid scoring output as he scored 84 runs on the year and tallied nine home runs. He also tallied eight steals.
The rookie turned in the best batting average ever for a Marlin's rookie, topping the mark set by Jeff Conine and previous Marlin's Rookie of the Year selection Ramirez. Both players hit .292 in their inaugural seasons.
The converted outfielder was on fire at the plate for the Marlins this season, posting back-to-back 47 hit months and becoming the first National League player to record 94 hits in a two month span since the 1978 season. He also became the first National League rookie to post 46 hits or more in a single month since Wally Moon accomplished the feat in the 1954 season. Coghlan accomplished that achievement in August.
Others considered to be in serious contention for Rookie of the Year honors were Braves right-hander Tommy Hanson, Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen, Phillies left-hander J.A. Happ, Brewers infielder Casey McGehee and Cardinals outfielder Colby Rasmus.
Coghlan was also named the National League's top rookie by USAToday, the publication announced in its Sports Weekly publication on November 4. The selections were made by a panel of 12 writers from USAToday Sports Weekly and the votes were compiled before the playoffs began.
At Ole Miss, Coghlan helped lead the Rebels to hosting three straight NCAA Regionals and back-to-back NCAA Super Regionals from 2004-06 before being drafted by the Marlins in the Supplemental First Round of the MLB Draft in 2006. He was the 36th overall pick, making him the highest drafted Rebel in program history.
For his career with the Rebels, Coghlan hit .342 with 181 runs scored, 131 RBI and 251 hits. He started 186 of 190 games played over the course of his three-year career and was 34-for-38 in steal attempts in that time.
