Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

Coghlan needs Marlins fans' support for All-Star Game

PHILADELPHIA -- As a rookie in 2009, Chris Coghlan emerged on the Major League scene in early May. Back then, he got hot in the second half and went on to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award.

The way Coghlan has been swinging the bat recently is similar to when he gained top rookie recognition four years ago. Now, the 27-year-old is making a case to represent the Marlins in the 2013 All-Star Game.

The first voting results have been released, and not surprisingly, the Marlins don't have any position player ranked among the NL leaders. That's understandable, considering the team's last-place record and the fact the offense has struggled much of the season.

Still, Coghlan is showing signs that he is worthy of votes. In May, he batted .322 (19-for-59) with a .385 on-base percentage. Coghlan has stayed hot in the early part of June, and he carried a 10-game hitting streak into Tuesday night's game at Philadelphia.

Why the resurgence from Coghlan?

"Being a hitter, a lot of it is confidence," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. "It is getting the chance to go out there and play. He was patient. He wasn't getting many at-bats earlier in the season. But he's gotten an opportunity, and he's made the most of it. He's playing. He's playing all the time, and he's doing great."

All-Star voting is well under way at Marlins Park. Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or via a mobile device -- using the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot until Thursday, July 4, at 8:59 p.m. PT.

Fans may submit 25 online ballots during the voting period but can also earn a one-time bonus of 10 additional online ballots. To access these additional online ballots, fans must be logged into an MLB.com account when submitting any online ballot. To obtain a free MLB.com account, visit www.mlb.com and register in accordance with the enrollment instructions.

Fans can also once again participate in the Home Run Derby Fan Poll. Fans will have the opportunity to select three players in each league whom they would most like to see participate in the Home Run Derby. The 2013 Home Run Derby -- part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day -- will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, July 15.

The 2013 American League and NL All-Star teams will be unveiled on Sunday, July 7, on the 2013 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show, televised nationally on TBS. Baseball fans around the world will then be able to select the final player on each team via the All-Star Game Final Vote sponsored by freecreditscore.com on MLB.com.

And the voting doesn't end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the official voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the official vote determining the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.

The 2013 All-Star Game will be played at Citi Field on Tuesday, July 16. Come to MLB.com for extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.

The 84th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM also will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.

Coghlan is the most worthy Miami player on the ballot. Giancarlo Stanton, an All-Star in 2012, has been injured for much of the season.

Yet there is another Miami position player who is making a case for write-in votes. Marcell Ozuna, the 22-year-old rookie who was called up on April 30, has produced in the cleanup spot.

Like Coghlan, Ozuna had an impressive May, batting .330. He is also playing terrific defensively, and he has the strongest outfield arm in the organization.

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. He writes a blog, called The Fish Pond. Follow him on Twitter @JoeFrisaro.
Read More: Miami Marlins, Chris Coghlan