Cutter Coffey blasted a two-run homer to left-center field in the fifth inning of High-A Greenville’s 8-4 win over Asheville Saturday.
The 20-year-old right-handed hitter has homered in six straight games. He’s 11-for-24 with seven homers, one double and 17 RBIs during the stretch.
Boston selected Coffey in the second round (41st overall) in 2022 out of Liberty High in Bakersfield, Calif. He struggled in his first full professional last year, batting only .210 with a .325 on-base percentage, .315 slugging percentage, .640 OPS, six homers, 16 doubles, two triples, 35 RBIs, 59 runs, 56 walks and 100 strikeouts in 99 games (428 plate appearances) between Low-A Salem and High-A Greenville. He spent most of the year with Salem (81 games, 349 plate appearances).
He struggled to begin this season but his recent hot stretch has his slash line at .232/.313/.507/.820 in 35 games (160 plate appearances).
The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder has some speed, too. He stole 19 bases last year and has four steals this season.
He has made 16 starts at third base, 13 starts at shortstop, two starts at second base and four starts at DH this year.
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Sandlin hits 99 mph in return from IL
Red Sox pitching prospect David Sandlin returned from the injured list Saturday and reached 99 mph with his fastball, according to the broadcast.
The 23-year-old righty started for Greenville and went 1 ⅔ innings (35 pitches). He allowed two runs on three hits (two-run homer) and no walks while striking out two.
He had been on the injured list since May 14 with forearm tightness.
Boston acquired the righty from the Royals for reliever John Schreiber on Feb. 17. SoxProspects.com ranks him the Red Sox’ No. 9 prospect. Baseball America ranks him No. 11 on its Red Sox Top 30 prospect list.
Sandlin reached 100 mph for the first time during an offseason workout.
Jedixson Paez, a 20-year-old righty from Venezuela, relieved Sandlin and struck out 10 in 5 ⅓ innings. He gave up two runs, four hits and no walks.
Gonzalez pitches well out of pen
~ Righty Wikelman Gonzalez came out of the bullpen for the second time this season in Double-A Portland’s 5-2 loss to Reading on Saturday. He went 2 scoreless innings and allowed three hits and no runs while walking nobody and striking out five.
Gonzalez — who Baseball America ranks Boston’s No. 5 overall prospect and top pitching prospect — has struggled this season. The 22-year-old has a 7.58 ERA (38 innings, 32 earned runs). Walks have been his major issue. He has averaged 6.0 walks per nine innings.
In his two relief outings, he has pitched 5 scoreless innings and allowed four hits and one walk while striking out nine. His other relief outing came April 21.
The Red Sox occasionally have their minor league starters work out of the pen to throw more strikes and get back on track. A team official said this is not the Red Sox converting him into a reliever.
Teel batting .305
Red Sox 2023 first pick Kyle Teel went 2-for-3 with two walks and an RBI for Portland. The 22-year-old catcher is batting .305 with a .406 on-base percentage, .468 slugging percentage, .874 OPS, six homers, 13 doubles, 39 RBIs, 41 runs, 29 walks and 54 strikeouts in 49 games.
Meidroth’s OBP up to .448
Chase Meidroth walked three times in Triple-A Worcester’s 4-2 win over Buffalo. Meidroth’s on-base percentage increased to .448 in 58 games (268 plate appearances).
