From the Boston Red Sox
BOSTON, MA-The Boston Red Sox today signed infielder Yoan Moncada (yo-AHN mohn-CAH-dah) to a minor league contract.
Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington made the announcement.
Moncada, 19, batted .277 (84-for-303) with 58 runs, 11 doubles, four triples, four home runs, 28 RBI, 40 walks, and 21 stolen bases in 101 games over two seasons in Cuba’s major league, Serie Nacional. A switch-hitter, he spent both the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons with Elefantes de Cienfuegos, posting a career .388 on-base percentage.
The 6-foot, 215-pound infielder appeared exclusively at second base with Cienfuegos. In 45 games last season, he led the team in total bases (67) and runs scored (32), and tied for the team lead with 13 extra-base hits (7 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR) while batting .273 (45-for-165) with 13 RBI. He helped Cienfuegos to the 2012-13 playoffs.
In addition to his time in Serie Nacional, the native of Abreus, Cienfuegos, Cuba represented the country in various tournaments, most recently the 18U World Championships in Taiwan in September 2013. He also played for Cuba in the World Port Tournament in the Netherlands (July 2013), the 16U World Championships in Mexico in August 2011, and the COPABE Pan American 16U Championship in Mexico in October 2010.
Moncada, who established residency in Guatemala before signing with Boston, will be assigned to Red Sox minor league spring training camp.
