White Sox fans have been waiting for this day to come. Their top prospect, and the No.1 overall prospect in all of baseball, Yoan Moncada was promoted to the major league level on Wednesday. The move came after the team traded Todd Frazier, David Robertson, and Tommy Kahnle to the New York Yankees. Moncada is 22 years old and will fill one of the infield spots for the team.
The start of the future
Moncada was the crown jewel of the trade that sent Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox this past season. Moncada is batting .285 in Triple-A Charlotte with 12 home runs.
He spent a majority of his time at second base in the minor leagues. Moncada spent eight games at the major league level last year when he was with Boston, so this won't be his first rodeo.
Moncada's swing has been compared to Robinson Cano according to Baseball America. Keith Law of ESPN ranked Moncada at the No. 13 best prospect at one point this year but still sees him as an above average hitter. His physical appearance has been compared to a linebacker's body.
Moncada is a building block for the White Sox. He isn't set to be a free agent until 2023. The White Sox have been going full rebuild mode, and Moncada is the beginning. The team is going to start showing some off their best prospects at the major league level to give fans a message that they want to compete in a few years but need to get these players experience.
The Cubs did it back in 2014 towards the end of the year when they promoted Addison Russell, Javy Baez, and Jorge Soler.
Busy 2017 rebuild
The White Sox might start playing some of their other best prospects next season. Eloy Jimenez could see time at the major league level next season when outfielder Melky Cabrera comes off the books or is traded.
Jimenez is ranked the No. 5 overall prospect all in baseball. The White Sox have now nine of the top 100 prospects in all of baseball. Fans will be patient with the White Sox next year with their eyes on 2019 as the time for the team to start competing again. It's unknown how these players will develop, but it at least gives the fans something to look forward to.
Not done making deals
The White Sox would still like to rid Cabrera. The St. Louis Cardinals could be a great fit. They are need of an outfielder, and Cabrera would not cost them a lot. Cabrera is hitting .289 on the year and will be a free agent at the end of the season. With the White Sox unlikely to re-sign him, they would likely take a mediocre package in return so that the minor league players in their farm system can get playing time.
