Moncada's bat, back in good form this spring
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GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Yoán Moncada looks as smooth as always defensively at third base for the White Sox, and he seems to be locked in at the plate during Cactus League action. But most important, Moncada’s back continues to feel strong.
“So far so good. I hope it stays that way,” Moncada said through interpreter Billy Russo, prior to his team’s 3-1 loss to the Padres on Wednesday afternoon at Camelback Ranch. “Camp has been good. I have been focused and working on things I need to work on for the season, and I have been feeling pretty good.”
Moncada enters the 2024 campaign in the final guaranteed season of a five-year, $70 million deal, with a $25 million team option for ‘25 and a $5 million buyout. He started strong last season, playing for Cuba in the World Baseball Classic and making the all-tournament team before having to deal with that balky back, limiting the switch-hitter to 92 games.
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The talent is there for Moncada to be a difference maker, which he certainly has proven in ’19 and ’21. But for manager Pedro Grifol, focus and concentration are the keys for Moncada.
“Everybody knows his ability. He can do anything on the field,” Grifol said. “It’s focus and concentration from him, and that’s what we’re harping. The rest of the stuff is just little tweaks here and there -- and with his leads and his secondaries, little stuff that we feel can make him an elite player.
“It’s just keeping him focused and concentrating on what he needs to do to help us. And again, the question I’ll always ask is, ‘What are you willing to do to sacrifice to help this club?’ [General manager] Chris Getz has talked about this. I’ve talked about it. They know it. That’s basically what it is. And for him to help us the way he can, that’s what you have to bring to the table.”
During his seven seasons in Chicago, Moncada has played for a division winner in ’21, and he has played for a team that lost 101 games in ’23. But he likes what he sees from the current squad.
“We have a good mix of veteran players and young players,” Moncada said. “That’s what makes the atmosphere good here in the clubhouse.”
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Out in ’24, Scholtens looks ahead
Jesse Scholtens’ season is done, with Tommy John surgery on the horizon. But the right-handed hurler, who finished his master’s degree in accounting this past offseason, certainly doesn’t see this injury as an end to his career.
“We’re not even thinking about that end of it,” Scholtens said. “Definitely working to rehab to come back and, hopefully, be part of this group going forward. It’s going to be a fun group.
“Everyone is excited about the group that’s coming in here, and the energy is contagious right now. It’s going to be tough missing out on that this year. But I’m definitely going to be working and trying to rejoin it.”
Scholtens, who appeared in 26 games with 11 starts for the ’23 White Sox, began to feel the discomfort in his first live bullpen session.
“Not anything really distinguishable, like aside from I thought it was normal arm pain,” Scholtens said. “Asked for treatment, and after a couple of looks determined we needed to investigate a little bit more.
“Obviously, there’s frustration, but I'm just trying to keep myself in a good mental spot. It is what it is at this point as far as my arm health. “
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Big arms set to go
Starting pitchers Michael Kopech (Friday at the Cubs) and Dylan Cease (Saturday at the Rangers) make their 2024 Cactus League debuts this weekend.