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twinsfan -> RE: MLB General Information PT 4 (12/6/2016 3:39:22 PM)
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Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Run: 65 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 65
The most-hyped teenaged prospect to come out of Cuba since Jorge Soler, Moncada signed last March for $31.5 million, nearly doubling the previous record bonus for an amateur player (Aroldis Chapman's $16.25 million in 2010). The Red Sox also had to pay a matching penalty for blowing past their international bonus pool, but so far the total $63 million expenditure looks well worth it. He has shown the dynamic tools package Boston paid for while reaching the big leagues at the end of his second pro season.
Few middle infielders can match Moncada's huge offensive ceiling, which earns him comparisons to Robinson Cano with more speed. He's a switch-hitter with outstanding bat speed who makes consistent hard contact from both sides of the plate. Moncada has added some loft to his swing in 2016 and has the potential for 20-25 home runs per season.
Moncada's best pure tool is his well-above-average speed, which he has put to good use with back-to-back 45-steal seasons and an 86 percent success rate in the Minors. His quickness doesn't translate consistently as well in the field, though he has the range and arm strength to play almost anywhere on the diamond he might be needed. He spent most of his first two pro seasons at second base, though with the Red Sox having Dustin Pedroia signed through 2021, they moved Moncada to third base in mid-August.
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