Baseball is fun. As fans, it’s nice to see the players enjoying themselves. Yes, it’s their job, but it’s still a game. If MLB wants people to be engaged, it needs the players to give them something to engage with. We want passion, and that happens to be what Boston Red Sox prospect Yordanny Monegro brings.

The right-handed pitching prospect spent 2024 in High-A. After missing the first two months of the season, Mongero rejoined Greenville on June 2. Things were a little rocky to start, and Mongero had a 7.36 ERA in six appearances in High-A (22 innings).

Then came a remarkable stretch, though. Starting on July 2 and going until September 7, Monegro didn’t allow an earned run for 45 straight innings.

The numbers are phenomenal. The righty finished with a 2.73 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and .176 BAA in 15 games (14 starts) for High-A Greenville. Monegro struck out 82 batters compared to 26 walks in 66 innings.

With Monegro, the entertainment value isn’t just in the stats, though. The Yordanny Monegro Celly Watch (TM) is a must-see. Whether you call him the Aura God or Pikachu, the 22-year-old is always fun to see when he takes the ball. His dramatics on the mound have brought him a lot of attention from fans. He fires up the fans and his teammates, while getting into the heads of his opponents.

People are yearning to see more of Monegro. There was one issue with that. He was pitching in High-A. Players don’t get much media attention that low in the minor leagues.

Here’s the good news. The Dominican Republic native was ready for a promotion last season. It feels grossly obvious that Monegro wasn’t moved up to Double-A at the end of 2024 to keep him from prying eyes in the Rule 5 draft.

Monegro will inevitably be in Double-A to start the 2025 season, though. There, we’ll get to see him truly tested. Question marks surround Monegro, especially his fastball. Can he continue to dominate against a higher level of competition?

We saw him struggle to start 2024, and with those struggles came a more subdued Celly Watch. When the performances started to ramp up, his swagger matched that. Don’t be surprised if we don’t get as much emotion from him to start the season as he figures things out in Portland.

Once we really get into the summer, though? Monegro is going to put on a show that will feed the hunger of those wanting to see his electric personality and introduces him to those unaware of his talent and infectious emotion on the mound.