Familiarize yourself with Yoan Moncada’s name.
Moncada has been cleared by Major League Baseball to sign as a free agent, according to multiple reports. The 19-year-old Cuban infielder worked out for MLB clubs last week in Guatemala, and the Boston Red Sox were among the teams in attendance, according to GammonsDaily.com’s Peter Gammons and Baseball America’s Ben Badler.
The Red Sox had four people in town for Moncada’s workout, according to Gammons. The group reportedly included vice president of player personnel Allard Baird and director of amateur scouting Amiel Sawdaye.
There were 80 to 100 scouts total on hand to see Moncada, according to Badler. The Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Rays and San Diego Padres reportedly were among the other clubs that scouts in attendance felt had a significant showing at the showcase.
ESPN.com’s Keith Law reports Moncada worked out in front of scouts from all 30 teams and is expected to travel to the United States for private workouts with teams once he’s cleared by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Moncada, who left Cuba with the government’s permission earlier this year, is considered one of the country’s top prospects. The switch-hitter is listed at 6 feet, 210 pounds and is a natural shortstop, though he could wind up playing second base or third base in the majors.
“He has all kinds of tools,” one National League executive told Gammons. “But he hasn’t played in games for nearly a year and a half, so you don’t really know if he has instincts, or what position he might play.”
Moncada, who is said to have plus-power and plus-speed, will be treated as an amateur free agent rather than a professional. Thus, any team that signs Moncada must do so out of its July 2 budget for international free agents, and will pay a penalty of 100 percent on any amount paid to him over that team’s fixed budget amount.
Photo via Twitter/@rpctvpanama
