Moncada refining bunting skills; Flexen solid

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Yoán Moncada’s perfectly placed bunt single in the fifth inning of a Cactus League tie Saturday against the Padres was his first successful bunt during Spring Training.

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It doesn’t figure to be the last attempt coming from the White Sox two-hole hitter during the 2024 season.

“When was the last time you saw that?” White Sox manager Pedro Grifol asked of Moncada’s bunt to the group of reporters assembled in his office prior to a 5-4 loss against the Giants at Scottsdale Stadium Sunday. “He wants to hit in the two-hole, right?

“There’s your motivation, right there. 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.”

It’s difficult to remember any bunt hits throughout Moncada’s career, although MLB.com research shows three in the Majors and Baseball Reference had nine Moncada bunt hits from 2012-14 in Cuba. The bunt was Moncada’s call, according to Grifol, but it’s part of the responsibilities tied to his lineup spot.

“We’ve been talking about it for a while,” Grifol said. “This is the second time he’s shown it. He showed it the other day, pulled it back, thought it was a ball.

“And he knows that’s part of his game. Can’t let those guys play back there like that. Turned into a 3-for-3 day.”

Moncada has 25-homer, 30-double extra-base power, so a question of when or if to bunt him arises. Grifol added the scoreboard will let them know when they can execute.

“There’s a lot of factors to it,” Grifol said. “How the guy behind him is swinging the bat, [if] there’s an open base.

“Let’s say he gets thrown out at first, but he moves the runner over. Now we have an open base. Now they are going to walk [Luis] Robert to set up the double play. There are so many factors. But it’s good to have in the bag. It’s a tool.”

A baseball skill in which Moncada shows considerable proficiency.

“He’s really good,” Grifol said. “He’s a really good bunter, hit and run. He’s really good at handling the bat. Both sides. 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.”

Flexen goes scoreless

Chris Flexen struck out two, walked two and allowed three hits over three scoreless innings during his first White Sox start. He also threw a couple of sliders to the Giants after mixing it in from his first appearance.

“I liked the shape, liked the action of it today,” Flexen said. “I’m really just trying to command the zone.

“Still dug myself into some holes, thought I made some good pitches early, but at times when the runner was on, the command got a little swirly, got a little up in the zone. But I was still able to work out of a jam and execute when needed.”

Flexen stranded two in each of his first two innings.

“Unfortunately, I’ve had too much experience working out of jams,” Flexen said. “It’s nice to come out of that on top, especially this early, and be able to dig deep and grind and try to execute those pitches when you need them.

“That definitely does translate into the year and gives you the confidence to work out of jams. Are you going to always get out of them? Not necessarily. To be able to work out of it today definitely adds a little confidence in the mix.”

Third to first

• Jordan Leasure, Chicago’s No. 15 prospect, made his fifth straight scoreless appearance. He has fanned seven in five innings.
• The White Sox played strong overall defense Sunday, including No. 30 prospect Jacob Burke’s diving catch in the sixth inning on an Otto Lopez fly ball to left.