The Chicago White Sox finally made the move to trade Chris Sale and begin their rebuild late in 2016, when they shipped the ace to Boston.
Right away the move was to improve the Red Sox and make them World Series contenders. But for the White Sox, the rebuilding process was going to take a few seasons as they tried to stock pile prospects.
The biggest name in that deal is infielder Yoan Moncada who is considered one of the best prospects in all of baseball.
Moncada is the future star of the White Sox and when he gets called up, all eyes will be on the prospect who is currently 21-years-old.
Sale has been fantastic for the Red Sox through the first 30 games of the season.
The 28-year-old left hander is 3-2 in his first 7 starts, striking out 73 batters. He’s currently in the middle of a streak in which he’s recorded 10-plus strikeouts in six-straight games, joining only Pedro Martinez as the other Red Sox pitcher to put a streak together of that length.
Not too shabby.
But then there’s Moncada.
The 21-year-old is raking in Triple-A Charlotte and is ready to come up but vows to be patient to receive that call from the organization.
Despite the trade happening months ago, there’s an interesting connection between the two players.
Brian Bilek of Future Sox broke down a state involving the two players. On days that Sale pitches, Moncada has been pretty damn good as you see below:
MLB's top prospect Yoan Moncada on days Chris Sale starts after his 4 PAs today:
.500/.630/1.150/1.780 (27 PAs)
4 HRs, 4 SBs#WhiteSox
— Brian Bilek (@BrianBilek_) May 7, 2017
That included another home run, his sixth of the year, in the Knights win on Sunday over the Gwinnett Braves:
ICYMI: Yoan Moncada hit his 6th home run of the season today in Charlotte Knights' 7-1 win vs. the Gwinnett Braves. pic.twitter.com/w7wk1NaESM
— Sox On 35th (@SoxOn35th) May 8, 2017
Rick Hahn spoke on Moncada and his development:
“The fact is, he does remain a 22-year-old that, coming into the year, had fewer than 200 plate appearances above A-ball,” general manager Rick Hahn said via the Chicago Sun-Times. “His development is by no means complete at the minor-league level, but he is making a great deal of progress, and we’re thrilled with where he’s at.”
The White Sox currently sit at 15-15 after being swept in Baltimore and likely won’t be buying at the trade deadline.
They could however be getting a big bat in the form of Moncada’s if they do decide to call him up. Until then, the prospect will continue to rake in Charlotte.
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