BP Red Sox Top 10 Prospects

I really think they're more flipping them because of Benintendi already being good and the upside starting to approach Moncada's - both the BA and BPro writeups of him are glowing. Wouldn't be at all surprised to see Benintendi end up #1 overall in either, and I'd be surprised to see Moncada end up lower than #5.

I still have to listen to the podcast, been crazy busy lately. But I see what both of you guys are saying and agree. Obviously splitting hairs between two amazing talents regardless.

You gotta save 80s for hitters like Miguel Cabrera, Ichiro and Wade Boggs. (what they ended up at, not what they were as prospects)

I meant top five in baseball.

You know you have a really good top 5 when Kopech sits at 5.

I think moncada has the highest upside of any of our prospects, but he needs more time. His impatience at the plate is a result of inexperience.

I'm in full agreement with your analysis. He had an approach that he may have developed during his time in Cuba, and it has a lot to recommend it. But to ML umps, he's just another raw rookie and he won't get the plate calls till they have a feel for him and for that approach. He'll need to adapt initially, but I'll bet he's up to it.

Btw, any one have access to Benintendi's writeup? I'm curious as to what they say about his hit tool.

I'm not sure Benintendi becomes more than a 18-25 HR guy, but man, is he fun to watch as a hitter. Sweet swing, terrific bat speed, great recognition, stays within his plan and goes with what he's given. Sounds cliched, but the guy is just a prototypical sweet-swinging lefty. Not at all fair, but I can envision Mattingly-esque lines in his peak, dropping a few .350/.420/.550 triple slashes with 50 doubles and more walks than Ks. It's a lot to ask, and I certainly don't "expect" it, but Mattingly is exactly the guy I think of when I watch Benintendi. 5'10, 170, and pulling missiles when guys think they can serve him hard stuff inside.

Beni doesn't look like a major leaguer he IS a major leaguer and a good one. He pretty much has to be the number 1 player on prospect lists. As for Moncada, he should be number 2 on all the mid season lists who had him number 1, unless there is someone else added to the player pool who I'm overlooking. I know this won't be the case everywhere but it should be. I agree with the "further away" than expected thought process. Everyone knew his K rate was an issue so that his approach and/or pitch recognition needed to improve. When you translate those things to the majors you don't get success which is exactly what happened. Of course people will
say "But the degree to which he struggled and didn't adjust are what is concerning." Which makes sense, until you remember a few things.

One, he never got a real chance to adjust and play thru his mistakes. They were in a pennant race and he didn't get consistent at bats. He literally had 4 starts. I'm not saying those starts mean nothing but I'm saying if you are making them mean much then you are over analyzing.

Two, he is a 20 year old kid from Cuba who doesn't speak much English. Sure this team had a lot of young guys so he should be able to relate to this team more than a lot of other teams, BUT he is from Cuba and he can't communicate with a lot of the young guys. Last I checked Xander, JBJ, Mookie and AB didn't speak Spanish. Also, think about the Cuban and minor league life style and then think of the major league one... I realize Yoan is rich already and has toys other minor leaguers can only dream on but still...

Third, he wasn't ready to begin with so putting a kid in a spot where he's not ready, it's hard for him to relate/communicate with his teammates and you're not going to allow him to play thru things to make adjustments is a recipe for exactly what happened.


I struggle with whether, even in hindsight, they should have called him up last year. Developmentally, in the short term, I actually think it was good for him. The culture shock of the major league life style must have been massive. Charter planes vs buses, suites vs motel 6, nice dinners vs crappy sandwiches. Groupies vs lot lizards... The list goes on and on. The exposure to that in a small dose before the offseason is good; it will allow him to digest a lot and not have to worry about nearly as much off field stuff next year. The same is true for the on field and during the game stuff.

On the other hand, long term, it takes away an option year and starts his clock a year early. I realize, we aren't expecting that to matter but it creates a situation where timelines have to be moved up and decisions that may shouldn't have to be made have to be made which can affect and alter a development. Remember he's only 20... I think things like this can matter. One of the things that I was happiest about on his contract was that it wasn't a major league contract. However, they have effectively turned it into one a year later and he's not ready for majors yet.

Edit: Did they use an option on him last year or not? I thought they optioned him back to the minors? If they didn't that is better.

Edit2: the transaction wire shows he was reassigned to AAA on 9/30... wouldn't that use an option? The SP site on his player profile page shows he's used none... can anyone clarify this? Does it not count as an option bc the AAA season was over?

Moncada turned 21 last May 27.

Good to know... greater points still stand on Moncada.