Coghlan red hot

As the Marlins remain patient with some of their young players, one of the organization’s top prospects is heating up.

Chris Coghlan, who was in big league camp during Spring Training, is off to a terrific start at Triple-A New Orleans.

For the Zephyrs, the left-handed hitting Coghlan is batting .326  with two home runs and 16 RBIs in 23 games. He has seven doubles, a triple and an on-base percentage of .412. He’s also stolen nine bases in 10 tries. In five games in May, he is 8-for-16 with two homers and eight RBIs.

The only problem for Coghlan is he appears to be blocked at the big league level. The former first-round pick is playing second base, which is secured by Dan Uggla. The 24-year-old Coghlan also has played third base at the Minor League level, but that is occupied by Emilio Bonifacio.

Coghlan has always been regarded as a talented hitter, who doesn’t have great power. He is an option to lead off, and while he doesn’t have the speed of Bonifacio, he has above average speed.

The Marlins are showing patience with Bonifacio and rookie Cameron Maybin in center field.

If the team is looking to dip into their Minor League system, Coghlan right now is making a case for his first big league opportunity.

– Joe Frisaro