Red Sox top prospect never heard of Maine and doesn’t plan to stay in Portland for long

Infielder Yoan Moncada, the Red Sox top prospect, made his Double-A debut for Portland going 1-for-5 with an RBI single and a run scored Tuesday night at Hadlock Field as the Sea Dogs beat the Harrisburg Senators 10-4. Moncada was also good for two diving defensive stops. Plus, he made a lunging grab on a liner that he turned for a double play.

But, don’t get used to it. he doesn’t plan to be here long.

Yoan Moncada watches the game from the dugout Tuesday night at Hadlock Field in Portland while making his Sea Dogs debut. Troy R. Bennett | BDN

Yoan Moncada watches the game from the dugout Tuesday night at Hadlock Field in Portland while making his Sea Dogs debut. Troy R. Bennett | BDN

“He said he never really heard of the state or the city,” said Portland’s athletic trainer Eric Velazquez, as he translated an interview for Moncada before the game. “But he did expect to come here because he was planning on getting to double-A. There’s not too much he’s really planning on doing besides playing baseball. This is just another step towards getting to the big leagues, which is his goal.”

Well, I guess that’s a good, honest answer. I’d rather hear him say he’s serious about baseball than serious about sampling the Old Port nightlife and gorging on lobster.

Top Boston Red Sox prospect Yoan Moncada stops a ball in the infield Tuesday night at Hadlock Field in Portland while making his Sea Dogs debut. Troy R. Bennett | BDN

Top Boston Red Sox prospect Yoan Moncada stops a ball in the infield Tuesday night at Hadlock Field in Portland while making his Sea Dogs debut. Troy R. Bennett | BDN

Moncada is MLB.com’s No. 5 national prospect. He’s in his second full season since signing with the Red Sox for $31.5 million in March 2015 and he slashed .307/.427/.496 with four home runs, 34 RBIs and 36 stolen bases over 61 games with the Red Sox A-Advanced affiliate in Salem, Virginia this year.

If he keeps those numbers up, he may not be here for an extended stay. But you can see him with the Sea Dogs as they play a home stand Wednesday through Sunday before taking off for Trenton on Monday.

Yoan Moncada makes contact batting leadoff Tuesday night at Hadlock Field in Portland while also making his Sea Dogs debut. Troy R. Bennett | BDN

Yoan Moncada makes contact batting leadoff Tuesday night at Hadlock Field in Portland while also making his Sea Dogs debut. Troy R. Bennett | BDN

Troy R. Bennett

About Troy R. Bennett

Troy R. Bennett is a Buxton native and longtime Portland resident whose photojournalism has appeared in media outlets all over the world.