Coats Becomes 35th Dash Alumnus to Reach Majors
June 4, 2016 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Outfielder Jason Coats, who was a Year-End All-Star in the Carolina League in 2014, has earned his first promotion to the Major Leagues, the Chicago White Sox announced Saturday. Coats becomes the 343rd Winston-Salem alumnus to climb to the Majors, while he is the 35th to accomplish the feat during the Dash era (2009-present).
Coats finished in the top six in the Carolina League's three Triple Crown categories during his 115 games with Winston-Salem in 2014. The Dallas, Texas, native was sixth in average (.291), tied for fourth in home runs (15) and fourth in RBIs (72). Coats jumped to Double-A Birmingham on August 11 of that season.
After playing just 31 games at the Double-A level late in 2014 and early in 2015, Coats joined Triple-A Charlotte and hit .270 with 17 homers and 81 RBIs. He has continued this success with the Knights here in 2016. Coats' .335 average paces all qualified International League hitters.
A former star at Texas Christian University, Coats tore his ACL on his Senior Day in 2012, causing him to drop to the 29th round of the MLB Draft. As a sophomore, Coats was a critical cog to TCU's first run to the College World Series in program history.
Coats is the fourth Winston-Salem alumnus to don a big league uniform for the first time in 2016. The White Sox promoted right-hander Michael Ynoa and catcher Kevan Smith, though neither appeared in a game before returning to the Minor Leagues. Righty J.B. Wendelken, whom the White Sox traded this offseason as part of the Brett Lawrie deal, joined Oakland's bullpen in early May. Wendelken was only the second former Dash star to make his Major League debut with someone other than the White Sox.
The Dash open a four-game series with the Wilmington Blue Rocks (Kansas City Royals) on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. from BB&T Ballpark. Tickets are still available, and fans can purchase them by calling the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visiting the team's website at wsdash.com.
The Winston-Salem Dash are the Class A-Advanced minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. To purchase tickets and for more information, please call (336) 714-2287 or visit www.wsdash.com.
Carolina League Stories from June 4, 2016
- Dash's Saturday Contest Suspended in the Eighth - Winston-Salem Dash
- Salem Stuns Lynchburg with Walk-Off - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Pelicans Spoil Crownover's Debut with Two Home Runs, P-Nats Fall 6-2 - Potomac Nationals
- Pelicans Bounce Back with 6-2 Win against Potomac - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Four Run Comeback Falls Short as Mudcats Lose in Extras - Carolina Mudcats
- Gonzalez Lifts Keys to Second Walk-Off Win of 2016 - Frederick Keys
- Rocks and Dash Race to a Halt, Game Suspended at 2-2 in Eighth - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Salem Wins on Walk-Off Wild Pitch - Salem Red Sox
- Potomac Nationals 2016 Game Notes at Myrtle Beach - Potomac Nationals
- June 4 - Carolina Mudcats Game Information - Carolina Mudcats
- C David Sopilka Placed on DL - Salem Red Sox
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes (June 4 vs. Wilmington) - Winston-Salem Dash
- RHP Colin Kleven activated - Winston-Salem Dash
- Trevor Clifton Named Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Month - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Coats Becomes 35th Dash Alumnus to Reach Majors - Winston-Salem Dash
- Rocks Touched Up in Tough One, Lose 16-11 in Ten Innings - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Pelicans offensive outburst falls short in 11-10 loss to Red Sox - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
