Major Leaguer resume Vol.97/ WBC Player’s resume Vol.83: Yoan Moncada(Chicago White Sox) : Major Candidate for Team Cuba: “Powerful performance with a well-thick body !!”

■Today’s player
Today's player is the Chicago White Sox infielder Yoan Moncada. Moncada was born in Cuba and defected in 2014. He will play for the Cuban National team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

■The KAISPO's baseball analyst comments
"Moncada is a good switch-hitter who hits a hard drive. In 2019, he marked .315 with 25 home runs, and his all-time OPS has been high. The 2022 season was one of the worst campaigns of his career, with a dismal .212, a .626 OPS over 104 games, being placed on the injured list twice due to a right oblique strain and hamstring strains on both sides. On the other hand, he showed something of his genius as a clutch hitter with a RISP of .286. The recovery of his usual form is vital for the White Sox to advance to the postseason."

■Story
The Boston Red Sox signed Moncada to a minor league contract on March 12, 2013. In 2016, his batting line was .294/.407/.511 with 15 homers, 62 RBIs, and 45 stolen bases over 106 games at Single-A+ and Triple-A. The Red Sox called Moncada on September 2 and decided to play him as a substitute in a contest against the Oakland Athletics that day. He was hitless in his two at-bats. The switch-hitter, however, batted his first two career hits, including a double the following day. Moncada finished his first campaign with .211 in eight games.

On December 6, 2016, the Cuban infielder with three players was traded by the Red Sox to the White Sox in exchange for left-hander Chris Sale.

In 2018, Moncada played as a regular second baseman the whole season, ending up with just .235 across 149 games. The following year, he had his best season, hitting .315/.367/.548 with 25 long balls and 79 RBIs in 149 outings. The batting average ranked third in the American League.

■MLB Career Stats
At the end of the 2022 season, Moncada has logged .253/.334/425 with 82 home runs and 51 RBIs through 643 appearances in his seven MLB campaigns.
(MLB No.402 KAISPO No.1582)