Drafted in the 14th round (441st overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2008 (signed for $150,000).
View Draft Report
Moncrief is an arm strength guy with velocities up to 96 mph and the projection to add more. He also throws an above-average slider and developing changeup. Moncrief is an athlete who also plays in the field for Chipola and is raw on the mound. He projects as a late-inning reliever and has one of the highest ceilings of the juco prospects in the state. He has Tommy John surgery in his past and is still discovering how strong his arm can be. Up to 94 mph this spring, Jeffers pitches out of the bullpen and may have more in the tank.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
The Indians drafted Moncrief, a two-way player in high school and junior college, as a power-armed pitcher in 2008, but his mound career came to an end a year later after he compiled a 7.75 ERA over two stints in Rookie ball. He has fared much better since converting to the outfield in 2010. The Indians laud Moncrief 's ability to make adjustments over the course of a season, and his second-half turnaround in 2014 boiled down to simplifying his approach and showing the plate discipline he had the year before. He has good hands and a short swing that should enable him to hit for solid averages. He'll show above-average raw power, primarily to his pull side. How much of that power he'll be able to tap into in games is more of a question. He's a serviceable defender in right field, for he runs well for his size and still has a plus throwing arm. Moncrief remains on the 40-man roster, but with no openings in the big league outfield, he'll have to bide his time at Columbus.
Moncrief's stock took off in 2013, eventually landing him a spot on Cleveland's 40-man roster. A two-way player at Chipola (Fla.) JC, he began his pro career on the mound but posted a 7.75 ERA over two seasons in Rookie ball. He shifted to the outfield in 2010 and has hit at least 15 homers in each of his three years in full-season ball. He tied for the organizational home run lead in 2013 with 17. Moncrief has the strength to hit home runs and a feel for the barrel, though most of his power comes to his pull side. His increased power came with increased contact, as he cut his strikeout rate from 31 percent of plate appearances in 2012 to 18 percent last season. Moncrief had a better plan at the plate and more experience under his belt, though he does need to show he can handle lefthanders after he hit just .215 against them in 2013. Scouts worry about a wrap in his swing, and he tends to open up early against lefties. He's at least an average runner and takes good routes in the outfield. He could throw 96 mph in his pitching days and his arm is a weapon in right field. The Indians will send him to Triple-A Columbus to open 2014.
Best Tools List
Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Cleveland Guardians in 2012
Scouting Reports
The Indians drafted Moncrief, a two-way player in high school and junior college, as a power-armed pitcher in 2008, but his mound career came to an end a year later after he compiled a 7.75 ERA over two stints in Rookie ball. He has fared much better since converting to the outfield in 2010. The Indians laud Moncrief 's ability to make adjustments over the course of a season, and his second-half turnaround in 2014 boiled down to simplifying his approach and showing the plate discipline he had the year before. He has good hands and a short swing that should enable him to hit for solid averages. He'll show above-average raw power, primarily to his pull side. How much of that power he'll be able to tap into in games is more of a question. He's a serviceable defender in right field, for he runs well for his size and still has a plus throwing arm. Moncrief remains on the 40-man roster, but with no openings in the big league outfield, he'll have to bide his time at Columbus.
Download our app
Read the newest magazine issue right on your phone