Red Sox sign GA's Coyle before deadline

Germantown Academy graduate Sean Coyle had planned to play baseball at North Carolina with his older brother Tom, but that plan changed Monday when the third-round draft choice signed a contract with the Boston Red Sox.

Baseball America reported that the deal is worth $1.3 million.

Coyle, projected to be a second baseman in the pros, was selected by Boston with the 110th overall pick in June's first-year player draft. Monday was the deadline for clubs to sign draft picks.

The 5-foot-9, 175-pound Coyle hit .562 for the Patriots this past spring, batting in the No. 3 spot. The Patriots' shortstop had 50 hits, including 13 home runs, with 55 RBIs.

He was named an all-American by Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball.

Coyle was not available for comment.

A five-year starter at GA (he started as an eighth grader), Coyle played second base until taking over for his graduated brother at short.

"I'm very glad for Sean and his family," Germantown Academy coach John Duffy said. "The Red Sox have always expressed the strongest interest in him."