Local outfielder sold on Panhandle Conference and Coach for the Raiders
7/12/2010 – Niceville's Coelho signs with Raiders
By ADAM ROSENBERG Northwest Florida Daily News 315-4484 | arosenberg@nwfdailynews.com
As a fixture in center field for Niceville, Michael Coelho had a chance to play some top-notch competition in numerous postseason appearances throughout his high school career.
Coelho will kick up the level of his competition another notch as he continues his baseball career in college, as he has signed with hometown Northwest Florida State College of the ultra-competitive Panhandle Conference. The high level of competition within the conference was the most important factor in Coelho's decision to join the Raiders.
"The thing for me was that playing for (NWF State) meant playing the best competition," Coelho said. "The Panhandle Conference is premier. You can't turn down an opportunity to play there."
Although he doesn't possess elite speed, Coelho is known as an aboveaverage defensive outfielder. NWF State coach Doug Martin hasn't told Coelho for sure which outfield position he will be playing this season and even told Coelho to get some work in behind the plate as a catcher.
"He does a very good job of understanding how to play center," Martin said. "He knows how to read a ball off the bat and I watched him make a bunch of catches at Niceville to save a bunch of runs for them."
Coelho, who represented the East team in the Pensacola Sports Association High School All-Star Game, will join Niceville teammates Chris Krenek and Kyle Kennedy in this year's recruiting class. As both Krenek and Kennedy said, the chance to play college ball with high school teammates didn't play a prominent role in his decision to join the Raiders.
One thing that did push Coelho toward the Raiders, in addition to the competition of the Panhandle Conference, was the chance to play for Martin. Friends of Coelho who had played for Martin recommended that Coelho take advantage of the opportunity to play for the secondyear Raider coach.
"Playing for Coach Martin is a great thing," Coelho said. "I've heard from past players you just have to take the chance to play for him."
Between now and the start of the season, Coelho is most focused on getting stronger and improving his offensive production. Known mostly as a singles hitter in high school, he hopes to add a power game.
"I have to get more production with the bat, specifically with more power," Coelho said. "Singles are great, but I have to drive gaps and hit some home runs in this league."