The Chicago White Sox are exploring the possibility of reuniting with a former top prospect, Yoan Moncada. This decision comes as new team manager Will Venable weighs whether Moncada would fit into the current roster setup.
Over the past decade, the White Sox have nurtured numerous highly-ranked prospects, yet many of them did not fulfill their expected potential. Recently, reports from Francys Romero of Beisbol FR revealed that the White Sox are among several teams, including the Los Angeles Angels, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Toronto Blue Jays, showing interest in signing Moncada, a free-agent third baseman.
Despite facing challenges with injuries to his thumb and knee, Moncada managed to have a respectable 2025 season, suggesting that he could offer even greater contributions in the upcoming year.
Moncada’s journey with the White Sox has been somewhat tumultuous. Once hailed as the top prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, Moncada's career did not unfold as anticipated. The White Sox acquired him in a blockbuster trade in late 2016, sending superstar pitcher Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for a package that prominently featured Moncada and pitcher Michael Kopech. Moncada made his major league debut in 2017, where he hit eight home runs and posted an OPS of .750, indicating potential despite a challenging start. However, the following season was marred by struggles, culminating in a league-leading 217 strikeouts.
The year 2019 marked a significant breakthrough for Moncada, as he hit 25 home runs while boasting a .315 batting average and a .915 OPS. It seemed that he had finally established himself as a major league player, but this success was short-lived. During the 2020 season, which was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Moncada's performance dipped significantly after contracting the virus, leading to a nearly 100-point drop in his batting average.
In 2021, hopes were high for a comeback, but Moncada continued to battle the lingering effects of long-COVID, resulting in diminished power numbers—he only managed 14 home runs and a .787 OPS that season. Over the subsequent three seasons, injuries plagued him, limiting his appearances to just 208 games from 2022 to 2024, during which he hit only 23 home runs.
Following the conclusion of the 2024 season, the White Sox opted to decline Moncada’s team option, and he spent the 2025 season with the Los Angeles Angels, where he played 84 games, recorded 12 home runs, and maintained a .783 OPS.
Now entering free agency, the question remains: will Moncada return to the White Sox, or will he seek opportunities elsewhere?
What does Moncada bring to the table for any team? Typically, he is known for his solid defensive skills at third base. However, during his limited time in 2025, he recorded a troubling -13 Outs Above Average, raising concerns about his defensive capabilities. The overarching issue throughout his career has been health; when fit, Moncada shows significant potential both as a hitter and defender. While he may not be the type to hit over 30 home runs in a season, his power is reliable when he is healthy.
Another area of concern is his plate discipline. Throughout his career, Moncada has accumulated 993 strikeouts against only 338 walks, highlighting a struggle with finding the right balance at the plate. Additionally, his speed has declined post-COVID, placing him in the 24th percentile for sprint speed in 2025.
Despite these challenges regarding his availability and performance consistency, Moncada still possesses considerable upside, even as he approaches his 31st birthday. There is potential for him to fit into the White Sox's plans for the 2026 season, although the team is currently dealing with an influx of infield prospects and will soon welcome the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft. Therefore, the interest in Moncada might not be as significant as it appears on the surface.
