Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Cherington: Moncada Can Play 'All Over Field'

Yoan Moncada
Red Sox General manager Ben Cherington stated today that newly-acquired Cuban phenom Yoan Moncada can play "all over the field"—and is not just limited to the infield (2B, SS, 3B). The 19-year old $63 million man ($31.5 million signing bonus; $31.5 million MLB penalty) is expected to start in 'A' ball (where the weather is warmer), rather than 'AA' (where the weather is colder)—even though he probably belongs at the higher level. Multiple scouts have reported that—if Moncada were a domestic prospect—he would likely be drafted #1 overall. As former MLB pitcher C.J. Nitkowski has observed, Boston never gets to draft high enough to grab this type of talent—so it's well worth the price to get him.