Moncada went 1-for-3 with a stolen base in Monday's 8-1 loss to the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

This was Moncada's first stolen base (and attempt) of the season, which we find somewhat surprising. Moncada's speed has become a less significant part of his offense as he's ascended the minor-league levels, but he's well off last season's pace, when he stole a combined 20 bags in 134 games between Triple-A Charlotte and Chicago. Part of his drop in attempts may be due to his success rate. While successful 20 times last year, he was caught 10 other times. We suspect as he learns how to read major-league pitchers, there will be more attempted steals.

Moncada went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Thursday's 4-0 loss to the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Moncada's fanned six times over the last two games and has made the silent walk back to the bench 24 times over 57 plate appearances (42.1 K%). Offspeed stuff has bothered him since his first taste of the majors with Boston in 2016, while manager Rick Renteria told Scott Merkin of MLB.com that the second baseman is pulling his head. "He's not really seeing the ball into the zone as well as I would like him to," Renteria said. You can live with the high strikeout totals if he were getting on base more often and generating scoring threats with his speed, but the OBP sits at .298 and he hasn't attempted a steal yet.

Moncada went 2-for-3 with two walks and two runs scored in Monday's 5-4 loss to the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

Moncada showed some power, as one of his two hits was a double. Although he went hitless in Sunday's outing, the 22-year-old has put together multi-hit performances in two of his last three games. While he's beginning to accumulate hits at the dish, strikeouts remain an issue for Moncada, as he's struck out in 34.1 percent of his plate appearances this season.

Moncada went 2-for-4 with a walk, a strikeout and a run scored in Saturday's 6-1 loss to the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

Moncada doubled and then advanced to third on a wild pitch, putting himself in position to score on Avisail Garcia's sacrifice fly. That's an example of Moncada's strengths -- on-base ability and speed on the basepaths. The 22-year-old second baseman has reached base safely in six of seven games. Over time, that will pay off in runs and stolen bases. He's still learning, though, so there will be some painful moments, particularly in the area of strikeouts. He's whiffed 12 times in 35 plate appearances (34.3 K%).

Moncada went 1-for-4 with a walk, a home run and two runs scored during the White Sox's 4-3 win Saturday over the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

By taking a Brandon Maurer pitch over the right-center-field wall, the youngster cut a two-run deficit in half during the eighth inning, and the Pale Hose eventually overtook Kansas City later that frame for a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Moncada is only 2-for-10 to start the season, but his first tater of the year is a reminder of his alluring power-speed potential for 2018 and beyond.

Moncada went 2-for-2 with an RBI and two runs as the leadoff hitter in Monday's exhibition game against Triple-A Charlotte.

EDGE Analysis

Moncada has taken to the leadoff role since manager Rick Renteria started using him there at the beginning of March. In 15 spring games as the team's leadoff hitter, Moncada is 15-for-48 (.313) with seven walks, three home runs, nine RBI and three stolen bases. Included in that tantalizing production are 15 strikeouts, which has been Moncada's bane since reaching the upper minors and majors. Still, his ability to draw walks and speed on the basepaths should make him a productive leadoff hitter.

White Sox manager Rick Renteria said Sunday that Moncada would open the season as the club's leadoff hitter, Bruce Levine of 670 The Score Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Moncada will probably remain a sinkhole in batting average until he dramatically curbs his 34.3 percent career strikeout rate, but his willingness to draw walks props up his on-base percentage and makes him an ideal fit in the leadoff spot. With the top-of-the-order role should come more involvement in the run game, an area where the speedy Moncada has lagged more than anticipated since reaching the majors. Moncada swiped 45 bags at a 78.9 percent success rate in the minors in 2016, suggesting he has some untapped potential as a base stealer after notching only three steals in five attempts across 251 big-league plate appearances to date.

Moncada is a candidate to open the year as the White Sox's leadoff hitter, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

He is leading off Friday, and it's easy to see why the White Sox might view him as their best option at the top of the order. He has high-end speed, and even though he hit just .231 last season, he walked at a 12.6 percent clip that resulted in a .338 OBP. Moncada will get his counting stats whether he is hitting first or in a run-producing spot, but he may get more opportunities to run out of the leadoff spot. The other top internal option to lead off is center fielder Charlie Tilson.

Moncada went 2-for-4 in Friday's 10-1 loss to the Indians.

EDGE Analysis

Moncada's wobbly start in the majors when he was called up in July is a distant memory thanks a very productive finish to the season. The rookie's hit .313/.375/.537 with five home runs, 11 RBI and 18 runs scored over the last 19 games. The future is now for Moncada, who will return to the majors for the start of 2018 as Chicago's starting second baseman.

Moncada (shin) is in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Moncada was held out of Monday's game in order to rest and recover, and it appears the day off had the desired effect. Moncada will play second and hit second for the White Sox on Tuesday night.