BOSTON — Yoan Moncada already is receiving some recognition in his first season with the Red Sox organization.
The Red Sox announced their minor league awards ahead of Saturday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles, and the Cuban outfielder was named Baserunner of the Year. Moncada led the organization with 49 steals in 81 games for the Single-A Greenville Drive.
Moncada stole a single bag in his first 20 games, but he was on fire after that, stealing 29 bases in a 27 game stretch from July 17 to Aug. 17. The 20-year-old also went 49-for-52 in stolen base attempts, which was the best in the South Atlantic League. Besides his base-stealing prowess, Moncada also hit .278 with eight home runs and 38 RBIs.
Jonathan Aro, who’s with the big-league club in Boston now, also was recognized Saturday. The pitcher received the Lou Gorman Award, which is given to a minor league player who overcomes obstacles making his way through the organization.
Aro was an international prospect by the age of 17, but the Dominican pitcher was hospitalized with Dengue fever twice before his 20th birthday. Despite all that, Aro earned himself a spot on the Red Sox’s roster this September.
Other award recipients included first baseman Sam Travis (Minor League Offensive Player of the Year), left-hander Williams Jerez (Minor League Pitcher of the Year), shortstop Javier Guerra (Defensive Player of the Year), outfielder Lorenzo Cedrola (Latin Program Player of the Year) and right-hander Denyi Reyes (Latin Program Pitcher of the Year).
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@MLBPipeline
