Fansided

10 storylines entering Spring Training

By Jeff Weisinger

Feb 19, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of an official MLB baseball on the field during San Francisco Giants spring training workouts at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of an official MLB baseball on the field during San Francisco Giants spring training workouts at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Now introducing Yoan Moncada

The next big thing from Cuba isn’t signed with any MLB club (as of yet), however when Yoan Moncada finally signs with someone (possibly the Yankees) he’ll become the biggest Cuban signing since Yoenis Cespedes, Jorge Soler and Jose Abreu.

But who is Yoan Moncada?

The six-foot, 210-pound switch-hitting second baseman is seen as the best teenage player to leave Cuba in quite a while.

In Cuba’s 16U national league, Moncada was the country’s best hitter, batting .500/.643/.918 in 158 plate appearances, leading the league hitting, OBP, slugging, home runs (8) and walks (37) while stealing 15 bases.  When he stepped up to the 18U team, he was once again the country’s best hitter, batting .434/.543/.648 in 152 plate appearances, stealing a league-best 20 bases.

In 2012-13, Moncada made his Serie Nacional debut for Cienfuegos, where he hit .283/.414/.348 in 172 plate appearances as a 17-year-old.  He made it to the league’s all-star game and shined in the skills competitions, winning the base-running contests against some of the league’s best baserunners.

Last season, Moncada hit .273/365/.406 in 195 plate appearances as a 18-year-old, spending most of the season at center while also making quick cameos at shortstop and center field.

As of right now, Moncada has entered the ‘contract stage’ of his decision, according to his agent David Hastings.  He’s projected to cost up to $50 million and had a second workout with the New York Yankees on Thursday.  He’s supposed to sign by the end of next week.

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