Tagged: Chris Coghlan

Trading places

MIAMI — It’s official. The Dodgers are headed back to Albuquerque to play at Isotopes Park, meaning the Marlins will need to find a new place to field its Triple-A affiliate. Nothing has been set yet, but the Marlins are expected to place their Triple-A team in New Orleans, where the Mets previously were — before they moved to Buffalo.

As for the Marlins’ Double A affiliate, it was announced on Thursday that they signed a two-year agreement to move to Jacksonville, Fla. — making it a lot easier to transport players. The new affiliate is the Jacksonville Suns who have been the home of the Dodgers since 2001.

’09 candidates

With so many players being arbritration eligible for next season, the Marlins could field several new faces in Spring Training next year. We’ve already seen a little bit from Dallas McPherson, Gaby Sanchez and Cameron Maybin, but Chris Coghlan (.298, 74 RBIs and 34 stolen bases in 132 games for Double-A Carolina) figures to be a factor to start at second base if Dan Uggla isn’t brought back, and Mike Stanton (.293 with 39 home runs and 97 RBIs in 125 games for Class A Greensboro) has definitely opened up some eyes. Matt Dominguez (.296 with 18 home runs and 70 RBIs in 88 games for Class A Greensboro) is still a little young, but he had a great year, too.

– Alden Gonzalez, associate reporter/MLB.com

Lots of hardware in Marlins’ farm

MIAMI — It was a good week in Florida’s Minor League system in terms of individual awards. On Thursday, Double-A Carolina’s Gaby Sanchez was named the Southern League Most Valuable Player after racking up 88 RBIs — the most for a Mudcat since 1995 — hitting .342 with runners in scoring position and hitting 17 home runs. Through Wednesday, the first baseman already had a franchise-record 41 doubles and was hitting .320 for one of the best offenses in Double A.

752609646_8d3329bb83.jpgThen, on Saturday, Class A Jupiter had an MVP of its own when first baseman Logan Morrison (pictured) got the honors for the Florida State League after leading the FSL in batting average (.334), hits (157) and doubles (37). Morrison, a 6-foot-2 lefty-hitting 21-year-old, was taken by the Marlins in the 22nd round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft. Last year for Greensboro, Morrison hit .267 with 24 home runs and 86 RBIs.

Triple-A Albuquerque

Isotopes drawing fans

With 13,576 on hand to see their home finale, the Isotopes totaled 593,606 fans in 71 games for the season, beating the previous high in 2005 of 582,839.

Two more for McPherson

After having just one home run in August going in, Dallas McPherson belted two more home runs on Saturday night, bringing his count up to 42 this season with just two games remaining. McPherson still leads the Minor Leagues in home runs, and Nelson Cruz — whose contract was purchased by the Rangers on Aug. 25 — is behind him with 37.

Double-A Carolina

All-Stars all over the place

Sanchez, second baseman Chris Coghlan (.298, 71 RBIs) and outfielder John Raynor (.312, 13 home runs, 49 RBIs) were all named to the Southern League Postseason All-Star Team on Thursday. The Mudcats were crowned the North Division second half champs and will begin the playoffs next week.  

Injured Marlins: Outfielder Brett Carroll (right shoulder) has been rehabbing for the Hammerheads. Over his last 10 games, the 26-year-old is hitting .184 (7-for-38). 

– Alden Gonzalez, associate reporter/MLB.com