White Sox Won’t Rush Touted Yoan Moncada

GLENDALE, Ariz.—The White Sox released veteran Brett Lawrie on March 3, paving the way for top prospect Yoan Moncada to take over as the club’s starting second baseman.

That day should come at some point this season, but Chicago is rebuilding and sees no point in rushing Moncada—or anyone else—to the major leagues.

“We’re really not going to have anyone in Chicago until they’ve answered any questions we’ve had for them at the minor league level and we feel they’re ready to succeed,” general manager Rick Hahn said.

Guilty in past seasons of rushing prospects to the majors before they were ready, the White Sox are now going in the opposite direction.

That likely means Moncada is going to open the season at Triple-A Charlotte while Tyler Saladino and Yolmer (formerly Carlos) Sanchez hold down second base.

Moncada, one of four prospects the White Sox acquired in a December trade that sent ace Chris Sale to the Red Sox, was named the Minor League Player of the Year in 2016 when he batted .294/.407/.511 with 17 home runs and 45 stolen bases at high Class A Salem and Double-A Portland.

Called up by Boston in September, Moncada struck out in each of his final nine at-bats. He also played in the Arizona Fall League for six games before heading home with a sprained left thumb.

Loaded with self confidence, the 21-year-old Moncada is in big league camp this spring and has one primary goal.

“You work with a purpose, and my purpose is to play in the big leagues and to play in the big leagues with this team, to make the team out of spring training,” the switch-hitter said.

Moncada wants to break camp with Chicago, but he’s aware of the situation.

“I learned that this is a process,” said Moncada, whom the Red Sox signed out of Cuba in March 2015. “I have to make adjustments once I reach the majors. You have to know what you can do to get better, and that’s where I can learn from experience.”

Through 17 spring games Moncada went 13-for-41 (.317) with three homers.

CHI-LITES

• Catcher Zack Collins was among the first wave of players reassigned to minor league camp. The No. 10 overall pick in 2016 is expected to open at high Class A Winston-Salem.

• The White Sox signed righthander Jake Dunning to a minor league contract. The reliever appeared in 30 games for the Giants in 2013 and 2014.

— Scot Gregor covers the White Sox for the Daily Herald