Moncada Ready For An Encore

FORT MYERS, Fla.—It would be difficult to exaggerate the divide between the start of Yoan Moncada’s first season as a member of the organization and the buildup to his 2016 campaign.

Last February, Moncada was still in a showcase-circuit spin cycle as he worked out for teams as one of the most coveted (and the most expensive) amateur international free agents in baseball history.

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When he signed with the Red Sox, he knew no one. He did not know player routines of the minor leagues. He was unfamiliar with the seven-day-a-week schedule that awaited him at low Class A Greenville.

And so, perhaps, it should have come as little surprise that Moncada struggled at the start of his age-20 season. He hit .200/.287/.289 with one homer and four steals in his first 25 games.

In his next 56 games, Moncada hit .310/.415/.500 with seven homers and 45 steals in 48 attempts.

“Going through the cycle the first time, a lot was thrown at him,” general manager Mike Hazen said. “The maturity with which he handled those things was impressive and something that we feel really good about.”

That finish permitted Moncada to return to the Red Sox this spring with a sense of both confidence and familiarity—while also affording him a chance to display his skills in games rather than just workouts.

“You expect him to be a corner outfielder or an inside linebacker for the San Diego Chargers,” big league righthander Joe Kelly said. “He’s just physically bigger and stronger than anyone I’ve ever seen at that age. It’s ridiculous.”

With unusual talent, Moncada hopes, will come an unusual development path.

“That’s always been my dream,” Moncada said. “I want to have that Red Sox jersey on my body . . . if not this year, then next. I just expect to get better with each passing day.”

SOX YARNS

• Jake Cosart, a 2014 third-rounder out of junior college, impressed the Red Sox in spring training after being moved to the bullpen. He worked in the mid- to high 90s and threw more strikes in his shorter outings.

• The Red Sox hired former closer Keith Foulke as a player-development consultant to work with the team’s minor league pitchers, particularly relievers.