| Yoán Moncada | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) Moncada with theBoston Red Sox in 2016 | |||||||||||||||
| Free agent | |||||||||||||||
| Third baseman | |||||||||||||||
| Born: (1995-05-27)May 27, 1995 (age 30) Abreus, Cuba | |||||||||||||||
Bats: Switch Throws: Right | |||||||||||||||
| MLB debut | |||||||||||||||
| September 2, 2016, for the Boston Red Sox | |||||||||||||||
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |||||||||||||||
| Batting average | .252 | ||||||||||||||
| Home runs | 105 | ||||||||||||||
| Runs batted in | 374 | ||||||||||||||
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |||||||||||||||
| Teams | |||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
Medals
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Yoán Manuel Moncada Olivera (born May 27, 1995) is a Cuban professionalbaseballthird baseman who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theBoston Red Sox,Chicago White Sox andLos Angeles Angels. He made his MLB debut with the Red Sox in 2016, and was traded to the White Sox during the 2016–2017 offseason. He is one of the first active MLB players to represent theCuban national team ininternational competition.
Moncada made his debut forCienfuegos of theCuban National Series in 2012.[1] In his two years with Cienfuegos he hit .277/.388/.380 with fourhome runs and 21stolen bases. Moncada left Cuba in June 2014.[2] Before signing with theRed Sox, Moncada was a highly sought after Cuban free agent. He was seen as a generational, five-tool talent, being compared to the likes ofRobinson Canó.[3]
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On February 23, 2015, theBoston Red Sox reportedly agreed to terms with Moncada, for a signing bonus of $31.5 million.[4] The contract was finalized on March 12.[5] He made his professional debut with theGreenville Drive of theClass ASouth Atlantic League on May 18.[6] In the winter of 2015, he was consistently cited as one of the top prospects in the Red Sox system.
Entering the 2016 season, MLB.com,Baseball America, andBaseball Prospectus ranked Moncada as one of the seven best prospects in Major League Baseball.[7][8]
Moncada was called up and made his major league debut on September 2, 2016, against theOakland Athletics. In his first plate appearance, hewalked and subsequently scored a run. He recorded his first major league hit the following day. Moncada finished the 2016 MLB season with a .211 batting average (4-for-19) with oneRBI.[9]
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On December 6, 2016, the Red Sox traded Moncada,Michael Kopech,Luis Alexander Basabe, and Victor Diaz to theChicago White Sox forChris Sale.[10]
Moncada began the 2017 season with theCharlotte Knights of theTriple-AInternational League. On July 19, 2017, he was called up after the trade ofTodd Frazier to theNew York Yankees. Later that day, he made his White Sox debut against theLos Angeles Dodgers. He worked a walk in his first at bat, againstKenta Maeda.[11]
On July 26, 2017, Moncada hit his first career major league home run off ofJake Arrieta of theChicago Cubs.[12] On August 25, he was placed on the 10-daydisabled list due to shin issues.[13] He played 54 games in 2017, finishing year with a .231 batting average, 8 home runs, and 22 RBIs.
In 2018, Moncada played 149 games, finishing with a .235 batting average, 32 doubles, 17 home runs, 61 RBI, and struck out an MLB-leading 217 times. He had the lowest fielding percentage among major league second basemen, at .963.[14]
In the 2019 campaign, Moncada set career highs in numerous batting areas, such as hits (161), doubles (34), home runs (25), RBI (79), and batting average (.315), among others, with his batting average ranking third in the American League.[15]
Overall, in2020, Moncada batted .225 with six home runs and 24 RBI in 52 games.[16] In 2021, Moncada batted .263 with 14 home runs and 61 RBI across 144 games for Chicago.[17]
Moncada began the 2022 season on the injured list with an oblique strain. On May 9, Moncada was activated off the IL and made his season debut that day against theCleveland Guardians, going 1-for-4. In 104 total games, he batted .212/.273/.353 with 12 home runs and 51 RBI.[18] Moncada made 92 appearances for the White Sox in 2023, slashing .260/.305/.425 with 11 home runs and 40 RBI.[19]
On April 10, 2024, Moncada suffered a strainedadductor while running to first base, and was ruled out for 3-to-6 months.[20] He was activated from the injured list on September 16.[21] In 12 total games for the White Sox, Moncada batted .275/.356/.400 with one stolen base. The White Sox declined his team option for 2025 on November 1, making him a free agent.[22]
On February 16, 2025, Moncada signed a one-year, $5 million contract with theLos Angeles Angels.[23]
Moncada was named to the Cuban national team for2023 World Baseball Classic. Along with White Sox teammateLuis Robert Jr., he became the first active MLB player to play for the Cuban national team.[24] In the tournament, Moncada batted .435/.519/.739, with a team-leading 10 hits in 23 at-bats.[25]
In 2021, Moncada recorded "Desastre Personal" with artists El Chacal and Lenier.[26]
