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Chicago White Sox: Scouting Report on IF Yoan Moncada

By Benjamin Chase

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 /
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Oct 19, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Surprise Saguaros third baseman Yoaan 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 Yoaan 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 /

The Chicago White Sox acquired infielder Yoan Moncada in their trade of ace Chris Sale this offseason. Will they see him in 2017?

Player Profile

Moncada was signed from Cuba by the Boston Red Sox in March of 2015, with a record $31.5M bonus, which nearly doubled the previous Cuban signing bonus record of $16M+ that the Cincinnati Reds gave to Aroldis Chapman.

Moncada began playing in Serie Nacional as a 17 year old, and immediately, he was notable for his raw skills on the field, posting a .388 OBP in two seasons as a teenager in Cuba’s highest professional circuit.

The Red Sox sent Moncada to extended spring training after his signing and then let him spend his entire 2015 at low-A Greenville in the South Atlantic League to get his feet wet in the United States.

Moncada certainly didn’t disappoint, posting a .278/.380/.438 line with 8 home runs and 49 stolen bases while putting up a 42/83 BB/K ratio over 81 games.

After that first season, Moncada received plenty of notice nationally in prospect lists. He was rated as the #3 overall prospect by Baseball America, #7 by Baseball Prospectus, and #7 by MLB.com.

Moncada started his 2016 with one of the most loaded offenses in the minor leagues in Salem of the Carolina League, and he quickly showed he was ready to move up. After 61 games, he had posted a .427 OBP while also smacking 32 extra base hits.

Moncada was promoted to AA, and the Red Sox made their plans for Moncada at that point clear, as they began giving him at least one start a week at third base to prepare for a future move up to the big league level.

An adjustment in his swing at the AA level led to some big power along with some increased strikeouts, but his final line was still impressive as he hit 11 home runs and stole 9 bases in just 45 games before getting called up to the majors.

For Boston, he struggled with the bat, only hitting .211/.250/.263 in 20 plate appearances, oddly only playing in 8 games over the entire month of September.

The Red Sox did send Moncada to the Arizona Fall League, and he left early after a reported injury, but he showed well in the time he was at the AFL, hitting .292/.370/.458 over 6 games with a 3/10 BB/K ratio.

Over the offseason, the Red Sox traded Moncada as the key piece in their trade with the Chicago White Sox to acquire ace left-hander Chris Sale.

Next: Moncada's scouting report

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