Red Sox announce signing of Yoan Moncada

By D.J. ShortMar 12, 2015, 9:55 PM EDT
12 Comments

The two sides reached an agreement late last month, but the Red Sox just officially announced that they have signed Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada to a minor league contract. The team will hold an introductory press conference tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. ET, per FOX Sports’ Jon Morosi.

The Red Sox will reportedly give Moncada a bonus of $31.5 million, which smashes the previous record for an international amateur under the current system. The Diamondbacks briefly held that distinction when they gave $8.27 million to right-hander Yoan Lopez in January. The Red Sox will also have to pay a 100-percent tax for exceeding their international bonus pool, so the total outlay for signing him will be $63 million. They have until July 15 to pay the tax and up to three years to pay the bonus.

It’s a big price to pay for a 19-year-old, but Moncada drew raves from scouts and Ben Badler of Baseball America recently ranked him as the No. 10 prospect in the game. He’s expected to find a home at second base, third base, or the outfield in pro ball and some believe he could make his way to the majors as soon as next season.

Fan hit by foul ball during Sunday’s Rockies-Dodgers game

Harry How/Getty Images
By Bill BaerJun 24, 2019, 6:51 PM EDT
Leave a comment

Another fan was struck by a line drive foul ball during Sunday’s game between the Rockies and Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, Mike DiGiovanna and Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times report. The ball was hit by Cody Bellinger in the first inning, going just beyond where the protective netting ends at the first-base dugout, striking a young woman in the head. Play was delayed for two minutes while the woman received medical attention. She initially stayed in her seat holding an ice pack to her head but was taken to a hospital for evaluation. According to someone in the Dodger Stadium first-aid office, the girl was alert and responding.

After the game, Bellinger said, “It was weird. It’s the first time I think I’ve hit a fan. I saw it literally hit her face. That was tough. I just tried to regroup. I’m sure it was tough for everyone.” He added, “I went over the next half-inning just to make sure she was all right. She said she was all right. She gave me a thumbs up. Obviously, it’s a scary situation.”

Both Bellinger and manager Dave Roberts expressed support for extending the protective netting at Dodger Stadium.

Bellinger was involved in yet another incident involving a fan later in the game. According to Michael Duarte of NBC Los Angeles, a 14-year-old girl ran on the field in the ninth inning. Bellinger said the girl came up to him and said, “I want a hug.” As she hugged Bellinger, a security guard tackled her. Bellinger said to her, “You know you’re going to jail?” She replied, “Yeah, I know. It was worth it.”