MLB Power Rankings: Top 25 players under 25

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 17: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a fly ball to left field for an out in the fourth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays played on May 17, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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ST. LOUIS, MO – MAY 02: Chicago White Sox second baseman Yoan Moncada (10) as seen heading to third base during the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox on May 02, 2018 at Bush Stadium in Saint Louis Mo. (Photo by Jimmy Simmons/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

13. Yoan Moncada

We are now in the third year of the Yoan Moncada MLB Experience, and the results have not lived up to the massive hype that accompanied him to the Boston Red Sox as one of the final Cuban bonus babies. Moncada signed for over $30 million and debuted in the minor leagues at the age of 20 before making his debut with Boston less than a year later.

Moncada is approaching 100 games played in the major leagues and carries a .238/.338/.429 line with 14 home runs and 38 RBI. He has walked in a solid 12 percent of his plate appearances, but is also striking out over a third of the time. Moncada hit .285/.390/.470 in parts of three years in the minor leagues and continuously impressed scouts.

The 22-year-old has shown progress early in the 2018 season. His OPS in the early going is over .800 and he continues to walk at a strong clip. Moncada has an advanced feel for the strike zone, but is still struggling with breaking balls. He has hit well below .200 for his career against sliders, curves and changeups. That should improve as he sees more pitches at the MLB level.

It is still way too early in Moncada’s career to write him off as a potential bust, although it is concerning that he has failed to match the early-career performances of many of his contemporaries. The tools are all still there, but hitting in a miserable Chicago White Sox lineup has not offered much protection for the young infielder.

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