Each MLB team’s biggest X-factor

Chicago White Sox: Yoan Moncada

It’s year two of the rebuild for the Chicago White Sox, and expectations for 2018 remain relatively low. Expectations, however, are not low for 22-year-old infielder Yoan Moncada. The five-tool prospect wowed at times during his first extended run in the big leagues last year, but still has more room to grow.

Moncada hit .231/.338/.412 in 54 games for the White Sox last year with eight doubles, eight home runs, 22 RBI and three steals. Especially worth noting is the fact that Moncada drew 29 walks and showed good plate discipline. Strikeouts did pile up, but he’s still young.

After hitting .197/.316/.364 in his first 37 games with the White Sox, Moncada managed to finish the year on a relative high note by hitting .299/.382/.507 with four home runs over the final 17 games of the season. Another full offseason of growth should allow Moncada to approach those numbers for a full season.

Baseball fans have become a bit spoiled over the past few years by top prospects who step right into MLB lineups and contend for MVP awards. Moncada was a bit more raw coming out of Cuba than the average prospect, but this should be the year things start clicking for him.