Call to the pen
Fansided

MLB: 2016 Minor League All Stars: The Hitters

By Benjamin Chase

Jul 10, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; World players celebrate after defeating USA during the All Star Game futures baseball game at PetCo Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 10, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; World players celebrate after defeating USA during the All Star Game futures baseball game at PetCo Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 8
Next
Oct 19, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Surprise Saguaros third baseman Yoan Moncada of the Boston Red Sox during an Arizona Fall League game against the Scottsdale Scorpions at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Surprise Saguaros third baseman Yoan Moncada of the Boston Red Sox during an Arizona Fall League game against the Scottsdale Scorpions at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Second Base

Yoan Moncada, Boston Red Sox, A+/AA, 21 years old

Stats: .294/.407/.511/.918, 50 extra base hits, 45 stolen bases, 72/124 BB/K, 491 plate appearances

The sculpted Cuban was signed by the Red Sox in spring of 2015, and he immediately asserted his incredible athleticism, hitting 8 home runs and stealing 49 bases (with only 3 caught stealing!) over 363 plate appearances in the South Atlantic League.

Moncada showed up to spring training looking like he’d spent the offseason working with a power-lifting coach and added good weight without sacrificing athleticism.

His 2016 was really a story of two levels. He started with high-A Salem of the Carolina League, and in 284 plate appearances, he stole 36 bases, flashing incredible speed and athleticism playing second base.

He then moved up to AA Portland in the Eastern League, and the Red Sox worked with him on the fly to do two things – first, to move to third base, and second, to add loft to this swing.

The latter of those objectives proved more successful than the former in the end as Moncada was able to hit 11 home runs in just 207 plate appearances in AA. His transition to third was rocky, and continued in his brief 8-game major league audition.

Moncada may not have his future at second base, but he certainly exhibited enough on the season to be very excited about his future in Boston. Moncada is the rare player who has the ability to hit for average, power, and show speed.

Red Sox fans may have felt a little worry watching Moncada’s struggles defensively at third in the majors, and Moncada did cut his Arizona Fall League time short due to a hamstring injury. Fans should not worry, however, as Moncada has elite athleticism and certainly all the defensive tools you would want from a third baseman.

Mar 12, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Ozzie Albies (87) loses his helmet whole running to third base during the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Ozzie Albies (87) loses his helmet whole running to third base during the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

In Consideration

Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Braves, AA/AAA, .292/.358/.420/.778, 49 XBH, 30 SB, 19 years old
Arismendy Alcantara, Chicago Cubs/Oakland Athletics, A+/AAA, .278/.325/.467/.792, 11 triples, 32 steals
Eliezer Alvarez, St. Louis Cardinals, A, .323/.404/.476/.879, 36 doubles, 36 steals
Luis Arraez, Minnesota Twins, A, .347/.386/.444/.830, 21 doubles
Willie Calhoun, Los Angeles Dodgers, AA, .254/.318/.469/.788, 27 home runs
Travis Demeritte, Texas Rangers/Atlanta Braves, A+, .266/.361/.554/.915, 28 homers, 17 steals
Max Schrock, Washington Nationals/Oakland Athletics, A/A+/AA, .331/.373/.449, 32 doubles, 22 steals
Luis Urias, San Diego Padres, A+/AAA, .333/.404/.446/.850, 26 doubles

Next: Third Base

Home/MLB Prospects