Moncada ranked #1 overall by BA midseason update

Cesar Crespo

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Can we all agree with that? I'm not so sure.

I don't follow the minors daily but his numbers against LHP in AA are (SSS) abysmal. I posted in the other thread about being worried about his K% in AA being 29%. But it's only 23.5% against RHP which seems like a number that can work for successful ML power hitters.

His K rate against LHP in AA is 52.9%. However, that's really only 17 plate appearances.
His K rate previous to that vs LHP is 22% in 191 PA

versus RHP, the K rate from A to AA is only slightly elevated (22.1% to 23.5%).

Compared to his career OPS splits (vs RHP/ LHP):
2015 Greenville .753/951
2016 Salem .971/.797
2016 Portland 1.118/.508

It's either noise/ small sample size (maybe he's faced a few elite LHPs in AA) or he's going to have a tougher time adjusting against tougher LH pitchers as he moves up.
I think it's SSS and adjusting to the new league. When you are tearing the cover off the ball like he is, you are probably more eager to let it rip. Benintendi struck out a lot when he was initially called up to AA too. After the first 50-100 at bats, his k rates went back to closer to his career rates. The problem with Moncada is even if his k rates normalize, he is always going to strike out a bit. This is why Keith Law probably thinks he will struggle the most in the Majors out of the gate.
 

Cesar Crespo

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I hope they move him to 3B or LF in AA soon. LF would be his best chance of some playing time in September. 3B now has Shaw with Aaron Hill as his backup/platoon partner this year. Next year 3B would be an option if they move Shaw to 1st and Hanley to DH. If DD signs Encarnacion for 1B/DH then Moncada would be blocked at 3B by Shaw unless DD trades Shaw.
I see this a lot but I think the sox will go with a rotating DH next year. Hanley is an adequate 1b so there is no reason to have a full time DH. Benintendi will be the LF and Moncada the 3b.

Plus for the rest of this year, I wouldn't be surprised to see Brock Holt outhit Travis Shaw. I'd guess one of Shaw or Holt is traded this off season for pitching as one of them won't have a role. I guess Holt could go back to being super sub but with a rotating DH and the overall roster flexibility of this team, it isn't needed. Even if it was, they have a few other guys who could play the part.
 

Savin Hillbilly

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The wrong side of the bridge....
The problem with Moncada is even if his k rates normalize, he is always going to strike out a bit. This is why Keith Law probably thinks he will struggle the most in the Majors out of the gate.
He's starting to seem like your classic three-true-outcomes-with-speed guy. The obvious prototype being the elder Mr. Bonds, though Canseco and Strawberry also fit the profile.
 

DJnVa

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Compared to his career OPS splits (vs RHP/ LHP):
2015 Greenville .753/951
2016 Salem .971/.797
2016 Portland 1.118/.508

It's either noise/ small sample size (maybe he's faced a few elite LHPs in AA) or he's going to have a tougher time adjusting against tougher LH pitchers as he moves up.
It's mostly the fact that he's had only 14 ABs against LHPs in AA. Of course, the 9 Ks are disconcerting in those 14 ABs, but still.
 

Savin Hillbilly

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The wrong side of the bridge....
I was thinking he was Rickey Henderson with more power, but Rickey didn't strike out that much. Barry didn't either. So I'm going to go with this guy: http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/daviser01.shtml
Note that I said "elder". Bobby struck out a shit-ton: led the majors three times, averaged almost a K per game over his career.

EDIT: Davis is a good comp too. Quite a similar player to Bonds Senior, though not quite as good.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Note that I said "elder". Bobby struck out a shit-ton: led the majors three times, averaged almost a K per game over his career.

EDIT: Davis is a good comp too. Quite a similar player to Bonds Senior, though not quite as good.
I read elder Bonds as old Barry, haha. Yeah, Bobby Bonds is a good match. Strawberry is too. I just think Moncada has more speed than the two of them which led me to Davis.
 

Dahabenzapple2

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If Moncada has more speed than Bobby Bonds - he of over 40 SB 7 different times...

Once 45 SB and 4 CS and then a couple of years later 44 SB & 6 CS - one of the great power/speed guys ever
 

PC Drunken Friar

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This got me to go to Eric Davis' b-ref page.

His 87 season...37 HR, 100 RBI, .293/.399/.593, 50 SB, 6 CS.

All-Star, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, 7.9 WAR

That was good for 9th in the MVP in 1987...what a crazy year.
 

Dahabenzapple2

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This got me to go to Eric Davis' b-ref page.

His 87 season...37 HR, 100 RBI, .293/.399/.593, 50 SB, 6 CS.

All-Star, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, 7.9 WAR

That was good for 9th in the MVP in 1987...what a crazy year.
That is the year Dawson won the MVP playing for a bad team with 4.0 WAR. The three best players in the NL were Davis, Gwynn and Murphy and they all finished 9th, 8th and 11th.

At that time - and probably still today, the fact that Jack Clark didn't win the MVP (ahead of the above three which is my viewpoint despite the fact that they were "better" overall - they were NOT better hitters - even Tony Gwynn with a 0.370 BA) was as large a travesty as Mattingly winning over George Brett a couple of years before. Clark lost out on WAR due to position and lack of defense and missing 30 games but his offensive numbers and what he did at the end of the year should have assured him of the win. Maybe he split votes with Ozzie who had his best year and finished second.

at least today, a guy with Dawson's power only numbers maybe scratches the top 10
 

kazuneko

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If Moncada continues to develop in the way he has, he's not going to be blocked by Travis Shaw at 3B.
I see this a lot but I think the sox will go with a rotating DH next year. Hanley is an adequate 1b so there is no reason to have a full time DH. Benintendi will be the LF and Moncada the 3b.
Plus for the rest of this year, I wouldn't be surprised to see Brock Holt outhit Travis Shaw. I'd guess one of Shaw or Holt is traded this off season for pitching as one of them won't have a role. I guess Holt could go back to being super sub but with a rotating DH and the overall roster flexibility of this team, it isn't needed. Even if it was, they have a few other guys who could play the part.
Not sure why people are getting so down on Travis Shaw, but he really has been far more consistent - and much better - than people seem to realize. Yeah, he had a couple of abysmal weeks in June, but otherwise he has been a model of consistency. Shaw's July OPS is now .833, a mark that he has matched or bettered in four of the six months since he's become a starter. For comparison, in the 9 months since 2014 that Holt has received 80 AB or more he has only topped an .800 OPS in 2 of those.
If Moncada emerges as a star (which is unlikely to happen until next season at the earliest), Shaw may lose his job at 3B but it would be hard to imagine the Sox not being able to find a spot for Shaw in the lineup (most likely at 1b, with Hanley shifting to DH).
 

Dahabenzapple2

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If he could be Eric Davis without the injuries, WOW,
Eric Davis without the injuries was a HOFer

ages 24-28 - OPS+ 143 155 139 153 123

1986 stole 80 bases with 11 CS - 1988: Stole 35 bases with 3 CS

he still hit when healthy @ 34, 36 and even @ 38 in a part time role

one of the great talents who just couldn't stay on the field - I remember watching him the few times we would get to see the games back in those early days and his speed was something to behold. Thin and wirey - like Melvin Upton with more speed and an ability to harness that power
 

alwyn96

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MLB Midseason re-rankings

#2 Moncada
#7 Benintendi
#25 Devers
#42 Groome
#83 Kopech

Former Red Sox:
#21 Espinosa
#36 Margot

Unfortunately, the Yankees have 4 in the top 40, which is probably their best showing in years.
 
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heavyde050

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MLB Midseason re-rankings

#2 Moncada
#7 Benintendi
#25 Devers
#42 Groome
#83 Kopech

Former Red Sox:
#21 Espinosa
#36 Margot

Unfortunately, the Yankees have 4 in the top 40, which is probably their best showing in years.
The Yankees have definitely improved their system, but the top three Red Sox prospects all are ranked higher than any of the Yankee prospects. Also, the Sox have 4 in the top 45, but three in the top 25, compared to the Yankees 4 in the top 40 (but all from 26 to 40).
 

nighthob

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Yeah, I'll take Boston's situation with The Killer Bs already performing and two more stars coming on in the wings.
 

FelixMantilla

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RedOctober3829

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deep inside Guido territory

NDame616

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He's been taking reps at 3rd for a while now. It's not uncommon for infielders to take ground balls at other positions during BP. This especially applies to middle infielders due to constant shifting.
You really believe that, or do you think it may be because he probably be knocking on Fenway's door next year, and he's not going to play 2B or SS (or OF) for the Sox?
 

RedOctober3829

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deep inside Guido territory
You really believe that, or do you think it may be because he probably be knocking on Fenway's door next year, and he's not going to play 2B or SS (or OF) for the Sox?
It can be both. Many players take grounders or fly balls at different positions in BP all the time. In Moncada's case, sure it can be in preparation for his long-term position. What would further the theory of him actually switching positions is going to winter ball and playing full-time at another position besides 2B.
 

Montana Fan

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Benny in Left, JBJ in cf, Mookie in right, Yoan at 3b, Xander at short, Pedroia at 2b, Travis/Travis at first, Swi/Christian behind the plate and Hanley at DH. That team would be a lot of fun to follow.