Yoán Moncada facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yoán Moncada |
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Moncada with the Boston Red Sox in 2016
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| Free agent | ||||||||||||||
| Third baseman | ||||||||||||||
| Born: May 27, 1995 Abreus, Cuba |
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| debut | ||||||||||||||
| September 2, 2016, for the Boston Red Sox | ||||||||||||||
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) |
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| Batting average | .254 | |||||||||||||
| Home runs | 93 | |||||||||||||
| Runs batted in | 339 | |||||||||||||
| Teams | ||||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||||
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Medals
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Yoán Manuel Moncada Olivera (born May 27, 1995) is a talented Cuban professional baseball player. He plays as a third baseman and is currently a free agent. Yoán has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for two well-known teams. These teams are the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago White Sox.
He first played in MLB with the Red Sox in 2016. Later, he was traded to the White Sox. Yoán Moncada is also special because he was one of the first active MLB players to represent the Cuban national team in a big international game, the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
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Yoán Moncada's Baseball Journey
Yoán Moncada started his professional baseball career in Cuba. He was a highly sought-after player. People saw him as a very special talent.
Playing in Cuba
Moncada began playing for the Cienfuegos team in the Cuban National Series in 2012. He played there for two years. During this time, he showed great skill. He had a batting average of .277. He also hit four home runs and stole 21 bases.
In June 2014, Moncada left Cuba. Many baseball teams wanted to sign him. He was known as a "five-tool talent." This means he was good at hitting for average, hitting for power, running, throwing, and fielding.
Joining the Boston Red Sox
Starting in the Minor Leagues
On February 23, 2015, the Boston Red Sox signed Moncada. He received a signing bonus of $31.5 million. This was a very big deal for a young player. His contract was made final on March 12.
He started playing professionally in the Class A South Atlantic League. His first game was on May 18 with the Greenville Drive. By the end of 2015, he was considered one of the best young players in the Red Sox system. In 2016, MLB.com ranked him as the 7th best prospect in all of Major League Baseball.
Making it to the Major Leagues
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Yoán Moncada was called up to the major leagues on September 2, 2016. He made his MLB debut against the Oakland Athletics. In his very first time at bat, he got a walk. Then, he scored a run. The next day, he got his first major league hit.
Moncada finished the 2016 MLB season with a .211 batting average. He had 4 hits in 19 times at bat. He also had one RBI.
Playing for the Chicago White Sox
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On December 6, 2016, the Red Sox traded Moncada to the Chicago White Sox. This was a big trade. The White Sox also received three other players: Michael Kopech, Luis Alexander Basabe, and Victor Diaz. In return, the Red Sox got star pitcher Chris Sale.
First Seasons with the White Sox
Moncada started the 2017 season with the Charlotte Knights. This is a Triple–A team. On July 19, 2017, he was called up to the White Sox. This happened after the team traded Todd Frazier. He made his White Sox debut that same day against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He got a walk in his first time at bat.
On July 26, 2017, Moncada hit his first career major league home run. It was against Jake Arrieta of the Chicago Cubs. He played 54 games in 2017. He finished the year with a .231 batting average, 8 home runs, and 22 RBIs.
In 2018, Moncada played in 149 games. He had a .235 batting average. He hit 17 home runs and had 61 RBIs. He also had 32 doubles.
Setting New Records
The 2019 season was a great one for Moncada. He set new personal bests in many areas. He had 161 hits, 34 doubles, 25 home runs, and 79 RBIs. His batting average was .315, which was the third best in the American League.
In the 2020 season, Moncada batted .225. He hit six home runs and had 24 RBIs in 52 games. In 2021, he batted .263. He hit 14 home runs and had 61 RBIs in 144 games.
Recent Seasons and Free Agency
Moncada started the 2022 season on the injured list. He had an oblique strain. He returned to play on May 9. In 104 games, he batted .212. He hit 12 home runs and had 51 RBIs. In 2023, Moncada played in 92 games. He batted .260 with 11 home runs and 40 RBIs.
On April 10, 2024, Moncada got injured while running to first base. He was out for several months. He returned to play on September 16. In 12 games, he batted .275. The White Sox decided not to keep him for the 2025 season. This made him a free agent on November 1.
Playing for His Country
Yoán Moncada was chosen to play for the Cuban national team. This was for the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He and his White Sox teammate, Luis Robert Jr., were the first active MLB players to play for the Cuban national team. In the tournament, Moncada played very well. He batted .435 and had 10 hits. This was the most hits on his team.
Yoán Moncada's Musical Talent
Besides baseball, Yoán Moncada also has a musical side! In 2021, he recorded a song called "Desastre Personal." He worked with artists El Chacal and Lenier on this song.
Images for kids
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Moncada with the Boston Red Sox in 2016
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Moncada with the Salem Red Sox in 2016
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Moncada with the White Sox in 2019
