JOHNSTOWN —
The news wasn’t all bad for Philadelphia manager Mike Gossner on Thursday.
His Bandits might have lost 4-1 to Baltimore – Philadelphia’s first setback in the AAABA Tournament – but Gossner got Sean Coyle back when it looked like the leadoff hitter and shortstop was leaving Johnstown.
Coyle, who was picked in the third round of first-year player draft by the Boston Red Sox, was going to head to Massachusetts for a physical examination, but decided to stay with his Bandits teammates instead.
“We got about 20 minutes down the road,” Coyle said about when the decision to stay in Johnstown was made.
“We’ve been talking for awhile, me and the Red Sox guys,” he said. “They understand I’m out here playing in the tournament with a lot of my close friends. I would have missed the game tomorrow. We decided it would be best to take the physical this weekend.”
Coyle said a decision hasn’t been made yet on whether or not he’ll sign with the Red Sox or head to the University of North Carolina, where his brother, Tom, is the team’s second baseman. He said that the physical was a necessary step if he were to sign with the Red Sox, which would need to be done by Monday.
But if he doesn’t, he’ll be more than happy to head to North Carolina.
“It’s a win-win situation either way,” he said. “North Carolina is a great spot, great coaches, and I’d love to play in the ACC.”
For now, Coyle is excited about the opportunity to stay with the Bandits, who are 3-1 in the tournament.
“This is a great group of guys,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun every day. Whether you’re playing well or not, they’re great to be around.”
Coyle has been playing well for Philadelphia. He’s 6-for-15 (.400) in the tournament with seven runs scored. He’s found other ways to get on base as well, as he’s been hit by a pitch three times in four games.
Gossner will get at least one more game out of Coyle.
“It’s sort of bittersweet,” Gossner said. “You want the kids to sign, but of course we’re happy to have him in the lineup.”
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JOHN RUCOSKY/THE TRIBUNE-DEMOCRAT Philadelphia shortstop Sean Coyle was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the third round of the first-year player draft in June. John Rucosky
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