White Sox manager Pedro Grifol has pegged Yoan Moncada as the team’s number-two hitter in the lineup. The No. 2 spot in the order that comes with expectations. Grifol’s expectation for Moncada is to move runners over and set his teammates up for success. Even if that means his $25 million third baseman has to lay down the occasional bunt.
“He’s a really good bunter, hit and run. He’s really good handling the bat, both sides,” Grifol told MLB.com’s Scott Merkin on Sunday. “He’s buying into the program, buying into our instruction and who we feel he can be and just bought in. That’s what it’s about.”
Over the weekend Moncada laid down a bunt for a single to cap off a perfect 3-for 3 day at the plate. The bunt also moved Nicky Lopez into scoring position. Later in the inning, Lopez would come around to score the only run of the game for the White Sox.
Moncada has bunted for a hit just four times during his eight seasons in the MLB. For most of his life, he hasn’t been asked to bunt given his talent. The 28-year-old showed the baseball world just how good he can be in 2019 when he slashed .315/.367/.548 with 25 home runs and 79 RBIs. Fans have been waiting for him to duplicate those numbers ever since. Five years later they are still waiting.
In 2020 there was a built-in excuse with COVID-19, which undoubtedly affected his poor play. Moncada never looked like himself. He bounced back in 2021, posting very productive numbers. The Cuban infielder posted a career-high in walks with 84 and made up for a dip in power (14 home runs) with a .375 on-base percentage and solid defense at third base. Then in 2022, he fell off a cliff with an OPS+ of 77.
Moncada suffered another injury-riddled 2023 campaign that was plagued with back problems. When he was finally healthy he began to show flashes of his former self. In Moncada’s final 30 games, he slashed .324/.367/.551 with 17 RBIs and six home runs. If he was able to keep up that pace for a full season Moncada would be looking at a home run total north of 30 while also knocking on the door of 100 RBIs.
These are the types of hot stretches that make fans frustrated when Pedro Grifol says he wants Moncada to be an effective bunter at the No. 2 spot. Surely a player as talented as Moncada shouldn’t be throwing away at-bats by squaring up to bunt.
But the fact of the matter is Moncada has lost the benefit of the doubt. This is a White Sox team that ranked 29th in runs scored last season. Moncada’s lack of production was a major reason why. If Grifol feels like the situation calls for a bunt when Moncada is at the plate, so be it.
Grifol sees the talent in Moncada. He can hit from both sides of the plate, has excellent bat control, is able to work counts, and can hit for power. The ability to lay down a bunt is just another tool that Grifol wants in Moncada’s toolbox to maximize his effectiveness from the No. 2 spot in the batting order.
“A pretty darn good two-hole hitter if he puts his mind to it, which we’re going to make sure his mind is right,” Grifol told reporters on Saturday.
The fact that he appears to be buying into what Grifol has been saying is a positive sign. Moncada has received plenty of criticism for his body language over the years. He often looks disengaged and gets frustrated when he makes mistakes.
Grifol’s mantra for the team this spring has been “play FAST”. The “S” stands for selfless. If one of the White Sox longest-tenured players is buying into Grifol’s new “play FAST” philosophy then others will follow. In a contract year, the White Sox third baseman should be more motivated than ever. It appears he has a good attitude this spring and if he can stay healthy he just might just return to his 2019 form.
