Who would you rather have: Yasmany Tomas or Yoan Moncada?” has become a popular question over the last month, mostly because so little is known about them outside the industry, but also because they are two completely different types of players at different developmental stages in their respective careers.
Tomas, who recently signed a six-year, $68.5 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, is more of a known commodity after playing parts of five seasons in Cuba’s Serie Nacional and starring in international tournaments such as the World Baseball Classic.
The 24-year-old outfielder has been glorified for his sheer strength and prodigious power and is expected to make an immediate impact hitting in the middle of Arizona's lineup.
And then there’s Moncada, a 19-year-old infielder who has emerged as one of the more hyped prospects in recent memory and seems poised to command a record-setting signing bonus for an international amateur.
According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, Moncada, who’s age and lack of professional experience will make him subject to international spending restrictions, is expected to receive a $30 to $40 million bonus, putting him in the same range as fellow Cubans Yoenis Cespedes ($36 million) and Yasiel Puig ($42 million).
So, would a team be better off investing in Tomas or Moncada?Tomas debuted as an 18-year-old in Cuba’s Serie Nacional during the 2008-09 season but didn’t emerge as one of Cuba’s more prolific hitters until 2011-12, when the then-21-year-old batted .298/.340/.581 with 20 home runs, 15 doubles, 50 RBI and a 57-16 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 272 at-bats (83 games).
Tomas added to his resume the following year with another strong offensive season, batting .289/.364/.538 with 15 homers, 18 doubles, 60 RBI and a 52-34 K/BB ratio in 277 at-bats. It was also the first time in Tomas’ Serie Nacional career that he played center field almost exclusively.
In his final year (2013-14) with the Industriales, Tomas’ playing time and production both were limited due to a wrist injury, but he still managed to turn in a solid offensive campaign, with a .291/.348/.452 batting line, 23 extra-base hits (six home runs) and 35 RBI in 230 at-bats.
As previously noted, the first thing you’ll hear about Tomas is that he possesses enormous raw power—legitimate 70-grade thump according to Baseball America's Ben Badler.Scouting Baseball’s Kiley McDaniel also noted Tomas’s sound right-handed swing when discussing his power: “Tomas' power is mostly to his pull side and he'll swing out of his shoes at times, showing some attributes of a 4A slugger. That said, Tomas has a cleaner, quieter swing with more power than those types of hitters, though his bat speed is average at best.”
Though Tomas saw time in center field during his tenure with the Industriales, the consensus is that he’s better suited for a career in right or left field in the major leagues.
According to Law: “Tomas is a stout center fielder who'll have to move to a corner outfield spot, as he's a below-average runner with a stiff body who could probably stand to shed some weight before he signs.”
McDaniel also views Tomas as a corner outfielder, noting that “His frame is a little thick” for center field while his grade-55 arm strength gives him a chance to “play a solid right field.”Overall, Law contends that a reasonable projection for Tomas would be an “average to slightly above-average regular in left field, with 25 to 30 homers, a low OBP and below-average defense.”
But the biggest concern with Tomas is his hit tool, which McDaniel believes might limit his power frequency in the major leagues: “Scouts think that inclination and bat speed will lead to a 45 or 50 bat (.250-.260 average, .320-.330 on-base) and the question is if that will be enough to get his 25 homer power in games, or he ends up being a platoon bat.”
And then there's Moncada, who debuted with Cienfuegos in Serie Nacional in 2012-13 as a 17-year-old, playing alongside 2014 American League Rookie of the Year Jose Abreu. The switch-hitter enjoyed a strong rookie season, batting .283/.414/.348 in 172 plate appearances to go along with 13 steals.
Badler notes some of Moncada’s other accomplishments from that season:
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2288335-france-should-grant-legend-thierry-henry-a-farewell-appearanceSo.
No comments:
Post a Comment