CHICAGO -- José Abreu is as excited to have Yoán Moncada as part of the White Sox as the euphoric White Sox fan base.
"I am very happy about the White Sox acquisition of Yoan Moncada," Abreu said through translator Billy Russo in a statement released by the White Sox on Friday. "I'm proud because I played with him in Cienfuegos [in Cuba], I was his captain, and now we are going to play together again.
"He is a very talented player. It will be an honor to work with, guide and support him."
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Abreu and Moncada played together in Cuba during the 2012 season. The switch-hitting Moncada ranks as the No. 1 prospect in the game per MLBPipeline.com and came to the White Sox on Tuesday via a five-player trade sending ace Chris Sale to Boston.
The 21-year-old is projected as the White Sox second baseman of the future -- a future quite possibly beginning at some point in 2017.
"Moncada is a five-tool player," Abreu said. "He really has everything needed to succeed, and I know that with the proper guidance of veteran players and coaches with experience, he can become an All-Star-caliber player.
"He is going to make a huge impact in the White Sox organization. Both the fans and the team will be thankful."

As part of general manager Rick Hahn's ongoing rebuild, Abreu has been thought of as a potential trade candidate. These comments from the first baseman, who had at least 25 homers, 100 RBIs and a .290 average in each of the three seasons since joining the White Sox, paint Abreu as someone who believes his immediate future will be spent with Moncada and the South Siders.
"I already spoke with him to welcome him to the team," said Abreu, a point Moncada made during his conference call Wednesday. "I told him that I'm going to be there for him, for everything that he needs, on and off the field."