Yoan Moncada closer to Fenway after stellar first season in the minors
The day before the Red Sox played their last home game of the 2015 season, Yoan Moncada made his first trip to Fenway Park. He glanced over his shoulder and looked out onto the field. A group of Baltimore Orioles were scattered in their game day uniforms. Moncada stood off to the side in a suit.
At first sight he looked out of place, overly dressed for an afternoon baseball game in September. Soon, Moncada may fit right in at Fenway.
The Red Sox inked a $63 million deal with Moncada, who defected from Cuba, in March. This season the 20-year-old infielder played for the Greenville Drive (Class A). He was honored Saturday with the organization’s Minor League Base Runner of the Year award.
“It’s been a crazy year. It’s been one full of a lot of hard work, a lot of sacrifice, and getting used to a lot of different things,’’ he said through a translator. “But right now when I’m on the field and I see this stadium here, it makes it worth it. Hopefully I can be here soon.’’
Moncada’s transition to the Red Sox system started slowly. He stole only one base in the first 20 games of the season and batted .200 with a .289 slugging percentage through the first 25. A new system, a new culture, the drastic changes built up.
“I think it was just a product of getting used to everything here and starting to feel comfortable in a completely different place,’’ he said. “Once I was able to do that was when I was able to relax and play a little better.’’
Moncada bounced back after the All-Star break. In the second half of the season he hit .310 with a .500 slugging percentage. He stole 45 bases in the final 56 games.
Moncada finished the season batting .278 (85 hits, 8 home runs, 38 RBIs) with a .438 slugging percentage. He was named a South Atlantic League postseason All-Star, and the South Atlantic League’s Most Outstanding MLB Prospect.
Current Red Sox outfielder Rusney Castillo, who is also from Cuba, isn’t surprised by Moncada’s success.
“He’s a good athlete, a complete player, runs bases, plays good defense,’’ Castillo told Boston.com in Spanish. “He’s had good results in the Minor Leagues and I’m happy for him.’’
The process is only beginning for Moncada. He enters the offseason with objectives in mind to continue moving up in the ranks. There are immediate goals, physical tasks he can accomplish with consistent hard work, and long term ones he keeps on his mind.
“Hopefully, these will be some of my teammates in two or three years,’’ he said. “But just being here makes me extremely happy. It’s quite a feeling.’’
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