Both Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech are unproven at the major league level, but that doesn’t stop White Sox manager Rick Renteria from being excited about his two new players.
First reported by Rob Bradford of WEEI, Renteria took some time at the MLB Winter Meetings on Wednesday to discuss his expectations for the two highly touted prospects that the team acquired via trade with the Boston Red Sox in exchange for pitcher Chris Sale.
Despite both players being in the early stages of their career, he was impressed with what he’s seen of them thus far, even going as far as comparing Moncada to one of the league’s premier infielders.
“I’ve seen a little video of the guys,” he said. “Moncada, the first clip I saw of him, he reminded me a little bit from his set up and everything of (Robinson) Cano, and now he’s a switch-hitter and shows some discipline at the plate. I know that at 21 years of age, he still has a long way to go in terms of what he’s ultimately going to be. I think he’s a very talented human being who we hope is going to be an impact-type player.
“Kopech is a young man who is about 6-foot-3, very good arm. Obviously we have people within the organization that believe that we can harness that strength and that skill set and have him become a pitcher, command the zone, things of that nature.”
Renteria recognized the team’s main duty is to get both players comfortable in order for them to make an impact in the big leagues.
“Our job is going to be to have these guys become as comfortable as quickly as possible with the way that we are going to go about preparing to play the game, and hopefully they enjoy it,” he said.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
