Scorching Moncada hits inside-the-park homer
Red Sox's No. 1 prospect homers in third straight game
Yoan Moncada, the 20-year-old prized Red Sox prospect from Cuba who signed a record-breaking deal during the offseason, has been on a tear for Class A Greenville. He continued his impressive play with an inside-the-park home run on Wednesday.
In the eighth inning of a 4-2 loss to Augusta, the Red Sox's top prospect drove a ball off the center-field wall, and once it caromed away from the center fielder, Moncada raced around the bases.
It was his third consecutive game with a home run as Moncada -- the No. 6 overall prospect as ranked by MLB.com -- continues his recent hot streak after getting off to a slow start. In the 18 games since being moved to the leadoff spot after the South Atlantic League All-Star break, Moncada is batting .361/.440/.597.
Moncada, who signed with Boston this offseason for a record bonus of $31.5 million, began his Minor League career in May for Greenville. He had not played, however, since leaving Cuba in 2013, and he scuffled through his first 25 games, batting .200/.287/.289 with just one home run.
This recent hot streak has pushed Moncada's season slash line to .272/.357/.426 to go along with four home runs, 20 RBI and 15 stolen bases. He has yet to be caught stealing.