Yoan Moncada is having one of the best month of his profession.
In the ultimate week of the common season, Moncada, who’s batting .444 in September, entered Tuesday’s recreation in opposition to the Indians at driving a 10-game hitting streak. He additionally had recorded seven consecutive multihit video games, which is one recreation shy of tying the franchise report.
This week will cap off what has been a breakout season for the 24-year-old Cuban participant, who was the highest prospect in baseball a short while in the past.
Moncada has made a complete transformation from final season to now.
In 2018, Moncada hit .235 with 55 extra-base hits, together with 17 dwelling runs. But he was aggressive and typically reckless along with his swing as he led the league with 217 strikeouts.
But this season, Moncada, who was moved to 3rd base in spring coaching, has been extra disciplined on the plate. As a outcome, he owns the third-best batting common within the American League (.316) — solely two spots behind his teammate and major-league chief Tim Anderson.
Moncada is happy along with his outcomes this season, however he additionally wished to make one factor clear: “It’s not a fluke.”
“Since the offseason, I’ve prepared to be better all around in my game this year, and I’ve been working hard for it,” Moncada mentioned by an interpreter. “And I’m very satisfied with what I’ve done this season.”
But that is solely the start, Moncada mentioned.
“I still have room to improve in all the aspects of my games,” Moncada mentioned. “But one area that I want to improve for next year is to be able to steal more bases. That was an aspect of my game that I couldn’t totally explore this year. But I’m going to work hard at that, at being more aggressive on the bases, especially stealing bases, next season.”
Manager Rick Renteria has lofty expectations for him subsequent season.
“I do think that there is still more in that tank,” Renteria mentioned. “In the long run … he’s potentially a 30 homer guy, he’s potentially a guy who could steal you 20 to 30 bases, he has that type of speed.”
Only 41 gamers have hit not less than 30 dwelling runs and stolen not less than 30 bases in a season. The final Chicago participant to do it was the Cubs’ Sammy Sosa in 1995. As for the Sox, it’s by no means been accomplished.
But Renteria believes Moncada might be the primary.
“We’ve seen him grow from both sides of the plate and in general, his overall game is not done yet,” Renteria mentioned. “I think he’s going to continue to get better.”
Next September, Moncada sees the the Sox taking part in excessive stake video games.
“I am confident that we’re going to be competing next year for a spot in the playoffs,” he mentioned. “Just because the time that we have, the improvement that we’ve been doing, and next year we’re going to keep improving. We’re going to be fighting for a spot in the playoffs because I truly believe that we’re going to be very good next year.”
And Moncada’s going to ensure this offseason that he’s ready to be one of many gamers main the cost for the Sox subsequent season.
“I’m having the season that I’m having because I worked hard, and I still know that I can do more,” he mentioned. “This season is just a big takeoff for me and a big motivation.”