Scouting Report

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 60 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45

Last summer on the showcase circuit, Coffey emerged as an intriguing two-way prospect, one with power at the plate and on the mound. This spring, back at his Bakersfield, Calif., high school, he’s continued to garner a lot of attention in an area that’s not always easy to get to, though most of the focus has been on his skills as a hitter.

While he’ll still pitch when his team needs him, it does appear that Coffey’s future will be in the batter’s box. He’s been a bit inconsistent, but the right-handed hitter has shown the ability to make loud contact with some excellent raw power to tap into. He recognizes spin well, especially for a young player, but can get beat up in the zone at times, with some moving parts to his swing making it tougher for him to catch up to velocity up in the zone. 

Fairly athletic and physical, Coffey plays shortstop for his high school team now, though few believe he can stay there at the next level. He could move to third, where his arm -- which fires 94-mph fastballs from the mound -- would play well, or he could be an offensive-minded second baseman with fringy speed. He’s part of an exciting University of Texas recruiting class that includes fellow California prep standout Henry Bolte.

Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

Coffey was one of the best high school two-way prospects in the 2022 Draft, having touched 94 mph on the mound while showing power at the plate in Bakersfield, Calif. The Red Sox took him in the second round that summer, continuing their love for Golden State infielders, and signed him for slightly below slot at $1.85 million. Coffey slashed .226/.341/.348 with six homers and 18 steals in 81 games for Single-A Salem in his first full season and earned a late spin with High-A Greenville. He returned to the South Atlantic League for 2024 and more than doubled his homer output with 14 through his first 61 games – going deep in six straight contests at one point in June -- before being traded from Boston to Toronto at the Trade Deadline for catcher Danny Jansen.

There is at least above-average power potential from the right-handed slugger, who employs a sizable leg kick and starts with the bat laid against his right shoulder, and he’s tightened up his swing a bit this summer to get that pop to play, especially well to his pullside. (Aiming for Greenville’s version of the Green Monster in left hasn’t hurt either.) He still faces some questions about his approach, however, and that will be tested even more so against upper-level arms.

Just an average runner, Coffey has moved around the dirt plenty early in his career. The bulk of his 2024 starts have come at third base where that arm fits well, and with his range tested at shortstop, that would likely be his long-term position if he needs to lock in somewhere. But given the hit-tool questions, he might be heading toward being a more powerful utility man anyways in his new organization.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 45 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

One of the better two-way high school prospects in the 2022 Draft, Coffey displayed a low-90s fastball and a sharp low-80s slider on the mound. Most clubs preferred him as a position player, however, and the Red Sox made him a full-time hitter after signing him for $1,847,500 in the second round. He's one of four California prep middle infielders whom Boston has given seven-figure bonuses in the past three Drafts. 

Coffey has more raw power than most middle infielders, and his bat speed and strength could produce 20 or more homers on an annual basis if he can develop more consistency at the plate. At times, he'll show the ability to recognize pitches and make adjustments, leading to hope that he'll be at least an average hitter. But his right-handed swing also can get long and he can struggle to handle velocity up in the strike zone, so he may be prone to strikeouts. 

In his 11-game pro debut, Coffey shuttled between shortstop, third base and second base. His athleticism, good infield actions and plus arm strength give him a chance to stick at short, though his fringy speed may land him elsewhere, especially if he loses a step as he continues to mature physically. He could become a solid-to-plus defender at the hot corner or wind up as an offensive-minded second baseman.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45 

Bakersfield, Calif., was home to two of the top high school two-way talents in the 2022 Draft, with Coffey (Liberty HS) signing with the Red Sox for $1,847,500 in the second round and Austin Charles (Stockdale HS) turning pro with the Royals for $429,500 in the 20th. While Charles may continue to pull double duty with Kansas City, Coffey will focus on playing shortstop. Most teams preferred him as a position player, though his low-90s fastball and sharp low-80s slider were intriguing on the mound. 

Coffey has a chance to hit for average and power, though he'll need to get more consistent at the plate. He'll flash some ability to recognize pitches and make adjustments, but his right-handed swing can get long and he can struggle to catch up to velocity up in the zone at times. He creates at least solid raw power with his bat speed and strength and could develop into a 20-homer threat once he gets stronger. 

Coffey's fringy speed may dictate a move from shortstop, though he has good infield actions and an obviously strong arm. He could be a solid to plus defender at third base and also could wind up as an offensive-minded second baseman. If hitting doesn't work out, he does have pitching as a fallback. 

Awards

SAL Player of the Week

Week	Team
06/16/2024

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	07/30/2024	Vancouver Canadians activated SS Cutter Coffey.
	07/27/2024	Toronto Blue Jays traded C Danny Jansen to Boston Red Sox for SS Cutter Coffey, SS Eddinson Paulino and RHP Gilberto Batista.
	07/27/2024	SS Cutter Coffey assigned to Vancouver Canadians.
	05/21/2024	Greenville Drive activated SS Cutter Coffey from the 7-day injured list.
	05/03/2024	Greenville Drive placed SS Cutter Coffey on the 7-day injured list retroactive to May 1, 2024.
	03/02/2024	SS Cutter Coffey assigned to Boston Red Sox.
	08/09/2023	SS Cutter Coffey assigned to Greenville Drive from Salem Red Sox.
	04/05/2023	SS Cutter Coffey and assigned to Salem Red Sox from FCL Red Sox.
	08/09/2022	SS Cutter Coffey assigned to FCL Red Sox.
	07/26/2022	Boston Red Sox signed SS Cutter Coffey.
	06/11/2022	SS Cutter Coffey assigned to College Workout.
	02/03/2022	SS Cutter Coffey and assigned to Home Team.
	07/13/2021	PG National 7 - Orange activated SS Cutter Coffey.