SURPRISE, Ariz. — Yoan Moncada battled fatigue issues due to the aftereffects of the coronavirus last season. And he fought to find his rhythm at the plate.
After breaking out with a .315/.367/.548 hitting line and 25 homers and .915 OPS in 2019, Moncada regressed to .225/.320/.385 with a .705 OPS 2020. His exit velocities were down, he did not attempt a stolen base after stealing 10 bags in 2019, and everyone is giving him a mulligan.
“Last year was a very difficult year,” Moncada said through translator Billy Russo on Wednesday. “Not just because of the virus but because I wasn’t able to produce at the level I’m used to. It had to do with my rhythm. I didn’t get it throughout last season. This year I’m in a better rhythm. That’s something I’m going to be able to maintain throughout the season.”
Feeling weaker is the likely reason Moncada lost it. The good news is he feels stronger now.
“I wasn’t reacting the way I used to at home plate, and that was because my body felt tired,” he said. “And there wasn’t anything I could do about it. I tried everything, but I couldn’t find a solution for that. This year, the difference is that my body feels good.”
Good signs from Robert
Luis Robert’s production plummeted drastically in September, but he rallied late just in time for the playoffs and is picking up where he left off in October, hitting coach Frank Menechino said.
“He worked his tail off, made some adjustments in his setup, made some adjustments with pitch recognition,” Menechino said. “He’s taking a lot more balls right now, even in flips, he’s not swinging at balls so he’s really got his setup and approach working.”
On Wednesday, Robert ripped a double into the left field corner and reached on an RBI single against the Royals. In his first game Monday against the Angels, he worked the count to 3-2 and drove a fastball on the inner half off the left-center field wall.
“That’s really encouraging how he never got off the fastball and was ready to hit every pitch, not kinda guessing and figuring out what the pitcher was going to do to him. He was convicted in his approach and you guys will see it during the spring, man. It’s a lot better.”
Aches and pains
Outfielder Adam Engel (ankle) told La Russa he feels “much improved.”
“I don’t know if he plays tomorrow or the next day, but he’s feeling better,” La Russa said.
Yasmani Grandal, who twisted his right knee seven days ago, “is getting extra care and then going very carefully because it’s early in the camp, but he’s making progress every day. Do not have a target [for a return].”
This and that
Right-hander Michael Kopech followed lefty Garrett Crochet during live batting practice, a 1-2 combination of high velocity that left hitters around the cage, tongue in cheek, saying, “Do you want to hit?”
*Kopech and Crochet are viewed as future starters who will pitch in relief this season. La Russa called prospects Jimmy Lambert and Jonathan Stiever “future rotation fixtures” who will stay stretched out and serve as starting depth in 2021.
*Second baseman Nick Madrigal, who had shoulder surgery after the season, is slated for his first start Monday, La Russa said.
