- Full name Matt Coenen
- Born
- Profile Throws: L
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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The Tigers liked Coenen's size and velocity when they drafted him in 2001. While he hasn't lived up to the 93 mph radar gun readings he flashed in college and in the Cape Cod League, he has proven to be refined. He showed a good feel for pitching in 2002, winning 14 games in low Class A during his first full pro season. In order to move up the ladder, Coenen must become a three-pitch pitcher. His fastball isn't overpowering, as he usually throws around 88 mph and tops out at 91. He has a slurvy breaking ball that he commands well, but he needs an improved changeup. Coenen uses a three-quarters delivery that gives his pitches some movement, but it doesn't look like he ever will be overpowering. To set up his breaking ball, Coenen will need command of his fastball early in the count. He'll move up to high Class A this season. -
It's not so much what Coenen does now which makes him an intriguing prospect. It's what he might do in the future. He's a 6-foot-5 lefthander whose fastball was clocked as high as 93 mph by Detroit's scouts before the draft. Like Preston Larrison, he was more impressive in the Cape Cod League during the summer of 2000 than he was during his final season of college. After turning pro, Coenen generally pitched at 88 mph. The Tigers aren't concerned because they expect he'll throw harder as he matures physically and hones his mechanics. He has a three-quarters delivery that causes his fastball to tail in on lefthanders and away from righthanders. His breaking ball, a cross between a slider and curve that he can throw for strikes, is a better pitch than his changeup at this point. Coenen's change likely will have to be revamped, something he'll work on this year in low Class A.