Can Moncada be a monster player for Chicago White Sox?
GLENDALE, Ariz. - Michael Kopech already looks like he can evolve into the next Noah Syndergaard.
Luis Alexander Basabe is the Chicago White Sox's best outfield prospect.
Victor Diaz has a power arm and could be an asset out of the Sox's bullpen in the not too distant future.
When they traded No. 1 starting pitcher Chris Sale to the Red Sox on Dec. 6, the White Sox got the aforementioned nice haul of young talent.
But let's be honest here. If the fourth prospect acquired from Boston - Yoan Moncada - doesn't live up to all of his lofty expectations, the deal is likely going to end up being a bad one for the White Sox.
As they wade through the early stages of a rebuilding project, the Sox are in desperate need of a young hitter who can make some big waves.
Moncada fits that profile, but now he's trying to prove he's more than a flashy prospect.
"Extremely talented," Sox manager Rick Renteria said of the 21-year-old second baseman. "Very gifted in many aspects of the skill set that he has. He can run well, has a good arm, we've seen him turning double plays, taking groundballs, swing the bat. A very skilled young man that will continue to grow and get better."
In the Red Sox's system last season, Moncada was named Baseball America's minor-league player of the year after posting a combined .294/.407/.511 hitting line with high Class A Salem and AA Portland.
Over 106 games, the switch hitter had 31 doubles, 6 triples, 15 home runs, 62 RBI and 45 stolen bases.
Called up by Boston is September, Moncada's lack of experience showed. After going 4-for-10 in his first three major-league games, the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder struck out in his final 9 at-bats.
"I learned that you have to be open to making adjustments because this is the best baseball in the world and you're going to face the best of the best," Moncada said through a translator. "You have to be open to get some advice and to apply it. That was the most important thing that I learned in my time in the majors."
Moncada figures to keep learning the intricacies of the game at Class AAA Charlotte to start the upcoming season.
With the White Sox looking to build a sustainable contender in the years to come, there is no need to rush Moncada to the majors at this early juncture.
That doesn't mean the five-tool talent is going to settle for spending the upcoming season in the minors.
"My goal is always to just be better," Moncada said. "To be better, and specifically for this point, all that I want is just to make the team. That's my focus right now."
While he initially was stunned at being traded from Boston to Chicago, Moncada has realized that you have to give up talent to get talent, and he is gradually settling in with the White Sox.
Two things are helping him make the transition.
First, there is fellow Cuban Jose Abreu, whom Moncada played with when he was 17.
"That's a good advantage for me," Moncada said. "I know him. He knows me. We played together in Cuba. We haven't yet had the opportunity to practice together yet, but that's something that is going to be very good for me."
Playing for Renteria is another boon.
"He's an excellent manager," Moncada said. "He can speak both languages, especially Spanish. I can communicate with him. That's a huge advantage for me and I like that. I think that we are going to have a very good season and we are just waiting for the season to start."
Whether he opens the season with the White Sox, arrives around the all-star break, September or 2018, Moncada wants to make sure he's worth the wait.
"I'm just trying to work hard every day and show the staff what I can do, what I'm able to do," he said. "I just try to keep my focus on my work, my detailed work every day. Whatever happens is going to happen. I just can control what I can do."