Badler On Yoan Moncada: Talented Enough To Be Cornerstone Player
BOSTON (CBS) - The Red Sox dipped their toes into the international waters once again.
Over the summer it was outfielder Rusney Castillo, and Monday it was Yoan Moncada, a 19-year-old infield prospect considered the next big thing out of Cuba.
To learn more about the player, 98.5 The Sports Hub's Adam Jones welcomed Baseball America's Ben Badler to the show Monday night.
Jones began the interview referencing Badler's tweet, and he was curious to know what Moncada brings to the table to be considered the Red Sox no. 1 prospect.
"Just about everything," Badler said directly. "We were trying to figure out where to put him on our list, he ended up no. 10, but just in terms of the raw tools that he has, there's really only one prospect in baseball that can match him tool-for-tool across the board, and that's Byron Buxton from the Twins organization."
Fellow Cuban and future teammate Rusney Castillo heaped praise toward Moncada when asked about him in spring training Monday in Fort Myers, calling him a "pretty complete player."
Badler agrees with that assessment.
"Everything that Moncada does is above average. He's at least a plus-runner, he's got a strong arm, above-average raw power and an excellent track record of hitting in games, whether it's in the Cuban junior leagues or all these international tournaments where the scouts have seen him. He's got premium bat speed. The only thing thing you can really pick him apart on are nitpicky-type stuff. He's a switch hitter who's much better from the left side."
Ben Badler adds that Moncada will likely start the season in Single-A playing for the Red Sox Greenville affiliate, quickly ascend to Double-A Portland by the summertime and be major league-ready in 2016.
"[Moncada] is not going to play shortstop, but he's going to be fine playing second base or third base. He has all the tools to be an above-average defender at either of those positions, he just hasn't had the opportunity to showcase his talent in the minor leagues. All the talent is there to be a cornerstone type of player."
With Dustin Pedroia and Pablo Sandoval signed long term, it would seem to reason that Moncada's path to the majors would be blocked.
Badler insists he's not a shortstop, and envisions the Red Sox experimenting with him between second and third base in the minors. Because of his strong arm, Moncada's major league position could end up being the hot corner at third.
Listen below for the full scouting report!
