The Boston Red Sox will recall their top prospect, second baseman Yoan Moncada, from Double-A on Friday, according to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old isn’t just the Red Sox’s No. 1 prospect, but he was also rated as the top minor leaguer by MLB.com.
He agreed to a minor league deal with the Red Sox in February 2015 worth $31.5 million, per MLB.com.
Viewed as a multitool player with power, speed and above-average fielding ability, MLB.com expected huge things from the Cuban:
Few middle infielders can match Moncada’s huge offensive ceiling, which earns him comparisons to Robinson Cano with more speed. He’s a switch-hitter with outstanding bat speed who makes consistent hard contact from both sides of the plate. Moncada doesn’t have much loft in his swing, which could cap his home run production at 15 annually, though he has the potential for 20-25 per season if he alters his approach.
He exhibited that power at the Futures Game during All-Star weekend, via MLB Network:
In 106 games in the minor leagues this season, Moncada has lived up to the billing, batting .294 with 15 home runs, 62 RBI and 45 stolen bases.
He’s also displayed solid composure at the plate, with 72 walks contributing to his .407 on-base percentage.
These kinds of intangibles can provide a huge boost for the Red Sox, who are fighting for their playoff lives heading into September.
While they hold a two-game lead for the top American League wild-card spot, they are just two games behind the AL East division-leading Toronto Blue Jays.
Red Sox manager John Farrell told Alex Speier of the Boston Globe that there is a possibility Moncada could see a lot of time at third base given the lack of production from Travis Shaw and Aaron Hill:
We’ve talked about Yoan, and not just as a pinch-runner. That’s an exciting young player, an extremely talented guy, there’s all positive reviews and evaluations of him. When that major league experience will initiate, time will tell that, but in terms of playing the position of third base, yes, that conversation has been had.
The combination of Shaw (.248 batting average) and Hill (.194) is a glaring weak spot in a powerful Boston lineup featuring David Ortiz, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Mookie Betts.
Bringing in a fresh face with so much promise like Moncada can invigorate the clubhouse for the stretch run of the regular season and, more importantly, make the Red Sox an even more dangerous team.
Stats courtesy of MLB.com.
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