According to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com, 19-year-old Cuban sensation Yoan Moncada has agreed to sign with the Boston Red Sox for $31.5 million. At the moment, the Red Sox themselves have not come out and confimed the signing of Moncada who has been raved about from scouts across the MLB. The San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers had been looked at as the other favorites in the sweepstakes for him as of late, but it seems they fell short in grabbing the teenager. The deal shatters the bonus record for an international amateur, which had been set earlier this off-season when the Arizona Diamondbacks signed pitcher Yoan Lopez for $8.27 million.
Moncada is currently 6'2'' and is around 205 pounds which for many young Cuban prospects is rare since he has already begun to fill out. Moncada has been rated a can't miss 5 tool prospect by almost everyone, as he's shown he can do just avout everything when on a baseball diamond. Up until this point in terms of tools he hasn't really shown a weak spot, which is why scouts across the league believe he would be worthy of a first overall pick in the draft. Yoan is also a switch hitter and has drawn comparisons to superstars Yasiel Puig and Robinson Cano from Ben Balder of Baseball America. In his past Moncada has played mostly shortstop, but it's believed when he comes to the MLB, he'll be moved to possibly second or third where he has some experience as well. It's uncommon to find teenagers who have shown so many plus tools already beginning to develop and show up on a regular basis. Moncada has a feel for the game that many young prospects just don't have it seems, which will be key when it comes to him trying to soar through the minor-leagues.
Now, even though the Red Sox just signed one of the most hyped internation prospects of all time it's believed he's likely to start the season in either AA or +A. Moncada is very mature for his age in terms of ability and makeup, but he still needs to learn the game of baseball in America. It isn't crazy to think he'll move up through the Red Sox minor-league system rather quickly like many other Cuban prospects, but in all reality he won't be contributing to the Red Sox in 2015. He'll join an already strong farm system for Boston, who adores young talents more then most clubs.
Hopefully for the young Cuban prospect the transition to American baseball is easy, the Red Sox have a minor-league system that is known for taking good care of their kids. Not to mention there will be plenty guys around the Red Sox such as Luis Tiant and Rusney Castillo who will be eager to talk and work with him. If everything goes correctly, fans in Boston will be cheering his name for years to come as he lights up the league in all fascets of the game. That being said, no prospect is a sure thing. Who knows what Moncada might perform like after being thrown back into professional competition in a foreign land.