The future is now for Yoan Moncada.
Moncada, MLB's No. 1 prospect who was officially called up from Triple-A Charlotte, will make his White Sox debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday night as the organization ushers in a new era on the South Side.
Moncada, who was the centerpiece of GM Rick Hahn's first major trade that signaled a White Sox rebuild in an offseason deal with the Boston Red Sox for Chris Sale, will play second base and bat sixth in his debut.
Tonight's #SoxSocial Game of Thrones Night starters: pic.twitter.com/cfnzpClbJ5
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 19, 2017
The White Sox created room on the 25-man roster for Moncada after Tuesday's blockbuster trade with the New York Yankees which sent Todd Frazier, David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle to the Bronx for prospects Blake Rutherford, Ian Clarkin, Tito Polo and reliever Tyler Clippard. The deal came less than a week after the White Sox dealt Jose Quintana to the Cubs in a package that included top prospects Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease.
Moncada, who had four hits in eight games with the Red Sox last season, was slashing .282/.377/.446 with 12 homers and 36 RBI in 80 games with the Charlotte Knights in 2017.
"There’s going to be growing pains here," Hahn said. "He’s not a finished product. I don’t suspect any of these players as they make their debut here in the coming months and years, no matter how highly anticipated they may be, there’s still going to be an element of development that’s going to happen in Chicago. The thought is it’s time for Yoan to get that opportunity to take that next step."
The news of Moncada's arrival to Chicago has created buzz on social media as White Sox fans are eager to see the rookie make his debut.
Check out some of the best #MoncadaDay tweets:
He's here. #MoncadaDay pic.twitter.com/lDxKrOfZGz
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 19, 2017
Go time. #MoncadaDay pic.twitter.com/1iwRyNvWwL
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 19, 2017
Moncada running to his @WhiteSox debut like... pic.twitter.com/yI4RHRM7C8
— NBC Sports Chicago (@NBCSChicago) July 19, 2017
Mood. #MoncadaDay pic.twitter.com/bQAISbJCL8
— Sox On 35th (@SoxOn35th) July 19, 2017