Yoan Moncada
Yoan Moncada making his ASG debut would be great for the Chicago White Sox.
When the White Sox dealt pitcher Chris Sale to Boston back in 2016, Yoan Moncada was considered a talent who could one day challenge for league MVP. He was viewed as the key for the White Sox in the deal and was rated the number one prospect at the time by MLBPipeline.
General Manager Rick Hahn raved about Moncada’s ability and his future with the club but to this point, he hasn’t lived up to that billing. Moncada started off playing second base but has moved over to third base where he has spent the last three years.
Despite leading the league in errors with 16 in 2021, Moncada has played some solid defense at third base. He was fifth in the AL in assists (236) and fielding percentage (.953).
Offensively though, is where much of the criticism about his game lies. He was third in the league in on-base percentage (.375), but his power has been lacking as he hit only 14 homers in 2021 and has eclipsed 20 home runs only once in his career when he hit 25 in 2019.
Moncada hit a career-high .315 three years ago but has not gotten near that since. His .263 a year ago was respectable but he has yet to reach his ceiling that many thought he was capable of hitting.
So, why would he be thought of as being an All-Star this year when the likes of Jose Ramirez and Rafael Devers have been more potent offensive threats? This will be his fifth full season in the majors and the hope is he will find his stride during this peak time of his career.
The team is in win-now mode and if Moncada can provide power behind Anderson in the lineup, the Sox might be able to play deep into October.