Red Sox in AFL: Kopech sharpens secondary stuff

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Michael Kopech and Yoan Moncada have each experienced highs and lows this season. The Red Sox prospects have been the talk of the baseball world and, conversely, they’ve each had obstacles to overcome.

Moncada, baseball’s top overall prospect, hit .294 in 106 games with Class A Advanced Salem and Double-A Portland before he was called up to the Red Sox.

Although his promotion caused quite a stir, he struggled to make contact, striking out 12 times in 19 at-bats. Even so, the time spent around Major Leaguers was beneficial.

“Spending a couple of days in the big leagues was a very nice experience for me,” Moncada said. “That was the dream I came looking for when I left Cuba and my dream came true. For me, it was something incredible because I was next to David Ortiz, who retired this year, next to Dustin (Pedroia) and other teammates up there.”

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Attempting to build off that experience, Moncada came to the Fall League looking to fine-tune the fundamentals, but his AFL stint was cut short after he sprained his left thumb.

Moncada hit .292 with a homer and three RBIs in six AFL games before the Red Sox shut him down.

While Moncada made headlines with his Major League debut, Kopech turned heads when his fastball was clocked at 105 mph in a start with Salem.

“Not too worried about …

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