Moncada knows how to switch it up right

SURPRISE, Ariz. - Father knows best.

Yoan Moncada, a natural right-handed hitter, says he started switch-hitting at age 10 because his father insisted on it. It has worked out pretty well for the 21-year-old who is rated as the No. 2 prospect in baseball.

From the right side, though, Moncada said his swing "is more technical" while from the left side it's "more fluid."

Moncada is batting .217 (5-for-23 with five walks, eight strikeouts) and has made four errors in Cactus League play, so he hasn't lit the Arizona desert on fire. He does have five hits in his last 16 at-bats after starting 0-for-7.

"He's had some things where you go, 'Ah, he's not standing out from anybody till he puts the barrel on the ball,'" Renteria said. "Then you go, 'Ah, when he barrels it there's some life to it.'

Renteria said Moncada's approach has been "solid."

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