Red Sox Say Moncada Won’t Return To AFL

Yoan Moncada‘s stay in the Arizona Fall League is done, the Red Sox said Friday, because of a sprained left thumb.

The injury to the No. 1 prospect in baseball is not considered serious and the Cuban infielder should be ready for spring training.

Moncada was 7-for-24 in the AFL for Surprise, playing third base as the Red Sox gauge his readiness to change positions in light of Dustin Pedroia’s continued effectiveness at second base. He committed four errors in six games in the AFL.

Moncada started the year in high Class A Salem, where he batted .307/.427/.496 in 284 plate appearances. After getting promoted to Double-A Portland, Moncada hit .285/.388/.547 in 202 plate appearances for the Sea Dogs, with a combined 45 stolen bases in 57 attempts (79 percent).

Built like a running back at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, Moncada is an explosive athlete with true five-tool potential. A switch-hitter, Moncada has electric bat speed, which combined with his strength allows him to smash hard line drives all over the field.

But as Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe pointed out, in Double-A, the majors and the AFL, Moncada struck out in 34 percent of his plate appearances, so there’s clearly some development remaining.