Top Sox prospect Moncada off to strong start in Triple-A

He's still in his first week as Chicago White Sox manager, and Rick Renteria is plenty busy with the major-league roster.

But with the Sox in rebuild mode and already infused with some needed young talent, Renteria is well aware of what's happening in the minor leagues.

Class AAA Charlotte, the Sox's top farm team, opened International League play Thursday night.

In an 11-inning 9-8 win over Norfolk, second baseman Yoan Moncada was 3-for-6 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

"It was a good game," Moncada said through White Sox interpreter Billy Russo. "It was a good way to start the season. I felt really good with my bat, with my swing. I hit the ball with authority throughout the whole field. My legs were loose and ready to run. I took every opportunity to make an impression and to help my team."

Acquired from the Boston Red Sox in the Chris Sale trade, Moncada is the White Sox's No. 1 prospect.

"I'm glad that he got 3 hits (Thursday) night," Renteria said. "I'm glad that he's moving forward."

In Friday night's game, Moncada was 4-for-5 in the Knights' 11-4 win.

The Sox's farm system is usually barren, but newcomers Moncada, Reynaldo Lopez, Lucas Giolito and Michael Kopech and 2016 draft picks Zack Collins, Zack Burdi and Alec Hansen have changed the landscape.

"There are a lot of things that we keep our eye on," Renteria said. "Obviously, we try to make sure we're focused on what we're doing here. But we keep an eye on what's going on down there, how guys are pitching, how guys are taking their at-bats, how they're defending."

Staying power:

Geovany Soto is back this year for his second tour of duty with the White Sox.

But unlike his first season on the South Side, 2015, Soto is back as a stopgap.

When Zack Collins, the Sox's first-round draft pick (No. 10 overall) last year, is ready, he is going to be the No. 1 catcher.

That's just fine with the 34-year-old Soto, who hit 2 home runs Thursday in his first start of the season.

"I'm here to do anything they want me to do," said Soto, who spent last season with the Angels. "I'm here to play. I'm here to win. I'm riding it out."

Any power the Sox get from Soto is a bonus, but his true value is a positive veteran presence on a team transitioning to youth.

"He's an individual that's been around," manager Rick Renteria said. "He's experienced. He can take pitchers through a particular tight rope situation at times. Obviously, he gives us some good at-bats. But also the communication he has with a lot of the pitchers and with the catchers that we have and that we had in camp, there's a lot of experience there. All of us can learn from him a little bit because he's been through a lot."

Empty the bench:

Leury Garcia started in center field Friday night, so Yolmer Sanchez is the only position player that has not started a game for the Sox.

"We're trying to get everybody an opportunity to go out there and play and do what they can do and try to keep them fresh," manager Rick Renteria said. "You're going to end up seeing Sanchy in there at some point before this series is over. We've got to give them as much opportunity to be a part of this whole process."