Indirectly because another one of the Marlins' highly touted young players, Cameron Maybin, wasn't producing consistently in the Majors, Coghlan was called up from Triple-A New Orleans on May 8 and never looked back. From the All-Star Game until the end of the regular season, the infielder-turned-outfielder helped keep the low-payroll Marlins in contention with an ML-leading 113 hits and .372 batting average. Coghlan beat out loads of promising first-year players in a rookie slate that really offered no single favorite for the award. On the list of contenders were Braves right-hander Tommy Hanson (11-4, 2.89 ERA), Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (.286 AVG, 22 SB), Phillies lefty J.A. Happ (12-4, 2.93 ERA), Brewers infielder Casey McGehee (.301 AVG, 16 HR, 66 RBIs) and Cardinals outfielder Colby Rasmus (.251 AVG, 16 HR, 52 RBIs).

In Spring Training, Coghlan worked with the infielders, seeing some action at third base and second. After opening the season at Triple-A New Orleans, the 24-year-old showed he was big league ready offensively while fielding a position he never played before: left field. The end result was a Rookie of the Year-caliber performance, with Coghlan placing 11th overall in batting average. Owners can expect more speed next year from the regular left fielder.

A top prospect and former first-round pick, Hermida fell well short of lofty expectations during four seasons with the Marlins, strongly suggesting a change of scenery would be in everyone's best interest. It's too soon to tell how Hermida, a left-handed -hitting hitter who can play both corner outfield spots, will fit into Boston's plans next season. For now, he serves as insurance in case left fielder Jason Bay opts to sign elsewhere this offseason. At worst, the Red Sox have themselves a talented 25-year-old, fourth outfielder with plenty of untapped potential. Florida's decision to give up on Hermida opens the door for a starting outfield trio of Chris Coghlan, Cameron Maybin and Cody Ross.

Coghlan has an eight-game hitting streak to finish his rookie season, but that doesn't begin to outline his level of effectiveness. His 113 hits in the second half are more than any other player, which has led to a ML-leading .371 batting average during that span. Throw in his nine home runs, 47 RBIs, 84 runs and eight steals, and there's no question the 24-year-old should be the starting left fielder for the Marlins next year.

Coghlan has been torching pitchers all month long with a .373 batting average to go with 10 extra-base hits and 19 runs. He leads all Major League rookies with a .314 batting average and 76 runs and is second with 26 doubles. (Dexter Fowler has 28 two-baggers.) Mixed-leaguers in need of outfield help should immediately insert Coghlan into their lineups if he's available.

And the hits just keep on coming for Coghlan, who sports a sizzling .363 average with seven homers and 27 RBIs since the All-Star break.

The two-hit day boosted Coghlan's average to .307, 11th best in the NL. He's 22-for-59 (.373) in September, and while his run production is well off his heroic August clip -- he has four RBIs in 13 September games after driving in 18 in 29 August contests -- that has been mitigated somewhat by his 15 runs in those 13 games. By any standard, Coghlan has exceeded all but the most optimistic fantasy expectations and deserves to be starting in all formats.

Coghlan cooled briefly following his unreal 14-for-29 (.483 AVG) stretch to begin September, but he's gone for five more hits in 15 at-bats (.333) over his last three games. The rookie seems to really know what he's doing at the plate, so stick with him and expect more multi-hit games in the coming weeks.

The NL's Rookie of the Month for August has jumped out to an early lead for honors in September after rapping out six straight multi-hit contests, good for a .483 clip (14-for-29) with eight runs scored and a pair of RBIs during that time. You'd be hard-pressed to find a hotter hitter in the game than Coghlan.

Coghlan's average is now up to .309, and his hold on Florida's leadoff spot has never seemed more secure. He is hitting an eye-popping .446 (25-for-56) during his ongoing 13-game hitting streak, and has now logged five straight multi-hit efforts. His vestigial second base eligibility is a nice fantasy bonus, but Coghlan's bat will play just about anywhere at present. He should be starting in all formats right now.

That's four straight multi-hit efforts for Coghlan, who continues to make his presence felt atop the Marlins lineup with a .440 average and 11 runs scored during this streak.

Those expecting Coghlan's breakout bus to slow down in the season's final month may want reconsider. With multiple hits in each of his first three September games, the Marlins left fielder boasts a .435 average during his streak and an overall average of .304 average over 382 at-bats.

Coghlan compiled a Major League-best 47 hits in 28 games during August while batting .385, and led all N.L. rookies with 21 runs scored. The 24-year-old added four homers, six doubles, three triples and 18 RBIs while posting a .582 slugging percentage and a .449 on-base percentage. Coghlan, who currently has a 10-game hitting streak, is batting .302 with nine jacks and 38 RBIs on the season.

August has been a breakout month for Coghlan, who’s batting .387 with 12 extra-base hits, 19 runs and 16 RBIs in 24 games. For the year, the rookie left fielder is hitting .293 with 55 runs and a formidable .369 on-base percentage.

Coghlan has logged multi-hit efforts in three of his last four games, and is now hitting a torrid .410 (32-for-78) in August. While his stolen base skills have not been quite as-advertised, Coghlan has done everything else that the Marlins -- or fantasy owners -- could ask from a leadoff hitter. He gets on base (at a .465 clip in August), hits for a little bit of pop, and scores plenty of runs -- he has now scored 16 in 17 August games.