Minor League Names To Know: Cuban Signees

May 14, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) makes a diving catch off a ball hit by St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (not pictured) in the first inning of the game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

2 of 6

Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

Yoan Moncada, IF, Boston Red Sox

Who Is He?

When Moncada came up as a possible signee in the 2014-2015 offseason, he was widely considered the top talent to have left Cuba, which is saying quite a bit based on the success of many of the Cuban players that have played in the majors, especially recently.

The Red Sox were willing to blow their bank on the young infielder, and they’ve not been disappointed at all. Moncada hit .278/.380/.438 in his first year in low-A ball, hitting 8 home runs and stealing an incredible 49 bases while only getting caught 3 times!

This season, Moncada has picked up right where he left off, and then some. After an offseason where he worked on more completely building his frame, he showed up a chiseled 6’2, 210 pounds, yet he’s still already stolen 25 bases in his first 35 games. His current slash line for high-A Salem is .328/.463/.508.

Currently, Moncada is playing second base, and he has the foot speed to play up the middle, but he also has the arm to move to third base if that turns out to be his better position long term.

Coming into the season, he was ranked among the top 15-20 prospects in the entire game, and when MLB.com recently updated their prospect lists to reflect graduations to the major leagues, Moncada was ranked #5 overall in all of baseball!

Videos

Next: Big Money Cub

Home/MLB Prospects