When the Boston Red Sox called up Yoan Moncada last September, they hoped he would take over as their every-day third baseman and be a fixture in their lineup for years to come.
It didn't happen.
"Last year, I wasn't expecting to play in the majors," Moncada said through an interpreter Thursday upon returning to Fenway Park as a member of the Chicago White Sox. "I think I wasn't ready."
Moncada, touted as the Red Sox's next big thing after signing out of Cuba for a record $31.5 million, went 4-for-19 with 12 strikeouts, including nine in a row in his final nine at-bats of the season. Rather than making the impact that Boston had intended, he wasn't even included on the postseason roster.
In December, the Red Sox traded Moncada in the blockbuster deal that brought ace lefty Chris Sale to Boston. The rebuilding White Sox called up Moncada on July 19 and installed him as their every-day second baseman. And after suffering a bruised knee on a scary collision with teammate Willy Garcia earlier this week, the 22-year-old phenom returned to the lineup Thursday night against the Red Sox and batted cleanup despite having gone only 4-for-38 (.105) with 16 strikeouts through his first 12 games.
He went 0-for-4 with a strikeout and was walked twice in the White Sox's 9-5 loss.