White Sox general manager Rick Hahn discussed at length this spring the potential Yoan Moncada has to impact a game with his power, speed and athleticism.
But there was one thing left off of Hahns scouting report -- a dietary quirk that has been reported by the Tribune and various other news sources following the No. 2 overall prospects journey from Cuba to the Red Sox organization to the White Sox system over the last two years.
Moncada loves Twinkies.
That was news to me, Hahn said.
Miami restauranteur Jo Hastings, who with husband David helped Moncada make his transition to the United States out of Cuba, told the Tribunes David Haugh in December Moncada ate as many as 200 Twinkies a week when he first arrived.
Hahn doesnt flinch at such a food fascination, however, and heres why.
Even if Moncada were to continue consuming the Twinkies, it wouldnt be the most unusual diet the club has ever had to deal with. That honor would go to former Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez.
When we had his debut in Cleveland, his major-league debut, he pregamed with two Krispy Kremes with mayonnaise in between, Hahn said. He put them together and enjoyed that for his pregame meal. So we're not unaccustomed to the transition in his diet.
Hahn then laughed at the notion that the donuts had any effect on Ramirezs famously lanky figure.
As for Moncada, who looked more like he never touched junk food during spring training, the Sox wont be dealing with his diet at the major-league level for a little while. He is starting the year with Triple-A Charlotte, but Hahn said its not out of the question he could join the big-league club at some point this year.
The tools are as advertised, Hahn said. They jump out at you, the bat speed, the athleticism, the power. We want to get him as comfortable as possible at second base, with more repetition there. Wed like to see him against more Triple-A pitching, which unlike where he has been tends to be a little bit more breaking-ball heavy, a little more savvy-veteran heavy, and see how they work him over a little bit. But it's not going to surprise me if he forces the issue, and he's up here at some point this year.
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Fascinated by Yoan Moncada's Twinkies diet? Wait 'til you hear this old Alexei Ramirez tale - Chicago Tribune
