Yoan Moncada Meets Expectations

Best Player

The White Sox traded two veterans in December, Chris Sale to the Red Sox and Adam Eaton to the Nationals. They acquired seven prospects in the deals, and second baseman Yoan Moncada was clearly the most talented of the group.

The 22-year-old Moncada has lived up to expectations at Triple-A Charlotte.

“The guy is incredible,” teammate Carson Fulmer said. “He has outstanding abilities. We are glad that he’s on our team with the stuff he’s able to do.”

Through 64 games at Charlotte, Moncada hit .278/.377/.440 with nine home runs and 15 stolen bases in 18 attempts.

“I’ve been working hard to try to have the same approach and the same focus on both sides of home plate,” the switch-hitting Moncada said. “I’ve been working really hard to improve.”

Moncada was out from May 16-26 with a sore left thumb. He initially struggled after returning to the lineup but is back on top of his game. Moncada could join the White Sox this season, most likely in September.

Biggest Leap Forward

When they signed 16-year-old outfielder Micker Adolfo out of the Dominican Republic in 2013, the White Sox knew they had to be patient.

That patience was being rewarded this year.

Now 20, Adolfo is having a breakout season at low Class A Kannapolis. Not only was the 6-foot-3, 225-pound right fielder hitting .286/.349/.506 through 63 games, but he started hitting for power.

Adolfo hit 10 home runs despite hitting no home runs in April and just two in May.

“I have more of a routine and am more mature,” said Adolfo, who signed with Chicago for $1.6 million in 2013. “That has helped me figure things out a little more.”

Adolfo, who also heaped credit on the White Sox minor league coaching staff, ranks among South Atlantic League leaders in doubles (22) and extra-base hits (33).

“I have developed a new approach that really helps me stay on the ball a lot longer,” Adolfo said. “I don’t have to key on fastballs and everything like that. The approach really helps me from being too quick and thinking I have to pull everything. I’m really trying to trust my hands a lot more.”