Cuban phenom Yoan Moncada is set to make his pro debut with Single-A Greenville Monday night. Moncada is considered to be the Red Sox’s top prospect after landing with the Red Sox this offseason. Moncada signed his minor league deal on March 12th, a contract that gave him a 31.5 million dollar signing bonus. The Sox also payed a 31.5 million dollar tax to major league baseball for going over the international player signing pool. The Red Sox are hoping this 63 million dollar investment certainly pans out. Boston outbid the Padres, Yankees, and Dodgers for the right to sign the Cuban Switch hitting second baseman.
“Yoan Moncada is one of the most highly touted prospects in recent memory, so to have him on the Greenville Drive roster is a huge thrill for our organization,” Drive general manager Eric Jarinko said, according to the team’s website. “Our fans have seen the impressive talent the Red Sox have assembled in Greenville to begin this season, and we can’t wait to see him on the field as he begins his professional journey with the Drive.”
Moncada has often been compared to a young Robinson Cano as he is a natural second baseman who can also hit for power. The 19 year old will have plenty of time to develop as gold glove second baseman Dustin Pedroia currently mans the position. Moncada will certainly be excited to take the field as he has not played a professional game since 2013 in Cuba.
