He may have gotten off to an inauspicious start in the big leagues, but there are likely good things to come from MLB’s top prospect, Yoan Moncada, down the line.
Moncada was 4-for-19 (.211) with 12 strikeouts in eight games with the Red Sox earlier this month. Most notably, he has struck out in his each of last nine at-bats, leading many to wonder if his MLB debut was a case of too much, too soon.
On Sunday, though, the Sox recognized Moncada as their Minor League Player of the Year after finishing a season split between 61 games for High-A Salem and 45 games for Double-A Portland with a combined .294 batting average (6th best among Sox farmhands), 15 home runs (4th best), and an organization-best 45 stolen bases.
The Sox also recognized fellow minor leaguers Roniel Raudes, 18, as Minor League Pitcher of the Year (struck out 104, walked 23 in 11 wins over 24 starts), third baseman Rafael Devers, 19, as Minor League Defensive Player of the Year (15 errors of 117 games), and Mauricio Dubon, 22, as Minor League Baserunner of the Year (30-for-37 in stolen base attempts, 157 hits and 101 runs scored in 124 games).
Pitcher Robby Scott, 27, who has performed so well since making his MLB debut with the big club on September 2, was recognized with the 2016 Lou Gorman Award, given to the minor leaguer who has demonstrated dedication and perseverance in overcoming obstacles while working his way to the Major League team.