Top Red Sox Prospect Yoan Moncada Makes Spring Training Debut
BOSTON (CBS) – Yoan Moncada impressed in his Red Sox debut, even if the top prospect technically hasn't appeared in a Spring Training game. That, however, changed on Wednesday.
Moncada, who signed last year with the Red Sox as a free agent from Cuba, started against Pittsburgh and hit ninth in Bradenton, Florida.
The second baseman played against Northeastern University on February 29, recording two hits and driving in a run.
Officially those at bats don't count toward his Spring Training stats, so Wednesday was his first big league game.
Moncada made a nice play in the field in the opening frame, but was retired in his first two plate appearances.
In the sixth inning, Moncada walked and eventually scored on a Pablo Sandoval double. He was replaced in the game soon after.
Baseball America ranks Moncada as the No. 3 prospect in all of baseball. He is listed as the No. 1 second base prospect.
Moncada played 81 games with Class A Greenville in 2015. Though he got off to a slow start, Moncada ended the year with a .278 average with 8 HRs, 38 RBI, and 49 stolen bases.
