RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Target ~105
CURRENT ADP: 134
ANALYSIS: The White Sox are not supposed to contend in 2018, which, in a lot of ways, is a good thing for Moncada. For one, it means that he will have a longer leash at 2B. Not that it matters, anyway, because Moncada was killing it at the end of 2017.
The 22-year-old Cuban was recalled by the White Sox after the team’s trade of Todd Frazier. He struggled out of the gate, posting a .188/.328/.356 triple-slash with 3 HR and more caught stealing than stolen bases over 122 PA in July and August. His wRC+ over that time period was 13 (not a typo). He struck out 36.1% of the time. The one positive takeaway from his otherwise miserable start was that he was able to walk 15.6% of the time. At the end of August Moncada went on the DL and when he returned, he came back with a vengeance.
In the months of September and October, Moncada triple-slashed a much improved .276/.349/.469 with 5 long balls and 2 stolen bases (on 2 attempts). His walk rate went down to 9.2%, but his strikeout rate also fell to 27.5%. Overall, Moncada seemed a new man after the injury was behind him.
It’s still early, but Moncada is going at pick 134 in NFBC right now, which is pretty low considering that the best is yet to come for the young Cuban. Moncada has been a consensus #3 prospect since the end of the 2015 season, and the toolsy infielder will finally get an opportunity to play full-time in 2018. Moncada is presently the 13th 2B off the board in standard leagues, which is far too low considering what he is capable up. Pick up the budding star late while you still can.
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