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Moncada a big boost for White Sox system
- Updated: December 6, 2016
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Perhaps the biggest name being bandied about since the Winter Meetings began, left-handed ace Chris Sale, has been dealt to the Red Sox. To get the five-time All-Star, president of baseball operations Dave Dombowski had to seriously raid the prospect cupboard, dealing four of the organization’s Top 30 to the White Sox.
The headliner of those four, of course, is No. 1 overall prospect Yoan Moncada. Signed two months shy of his 20th birthday, the Red Sox gave Moncada $31.5 million to sign out of Cuba, a record bonus for an amateur player. That blew past their international pool, forcing them to pay an additional $31.5 million in penalties.
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After starting his pro career a bit slowly, the infielder really showed off his incredible tools in 2016, starting the year in the Class A Advanced Carolina League and finishing it in the Majors. Compared to Robinson Cano but with more speed, he can hit for average and power from both sides of the plate. Moncada showed he can use his plus speed on the basepaths, swiping 45 bags this season. A Futures Game participant last July, Moncada has 20-20 potential as he continues to learn to add loft to his swing.
There has been a little more debate about where Moncada fits defensively. He played second base during his time in the Minors with Boston, then moved to third when the Red Sox needed him to fill a hole at the big league level. He was slated to see a lot of time at the hot corner in the Arizona Fall League, but a thumb injury cut that short after just six games. It will be a short-lived experiment as the White Sox plan to have Moncada go back to second base full-time, which will mean finding a new home for Brett Lawrie.
Michael Kopech is prospect 1A in this deal. The hard-throwing right-hander ranked fifth in the Red Sox’s midseason Top 30 and No. 67 overall. …
