SAN FRANCISCO - Joe Maddon has been around Major League Baseball since before Carlos Moncrief was born. After seeing the rookie outfielder for the first time Monday, Maddon gushed about a right arm that's opening eyes.
Moncrief made two incredible throws, although neither led to an out. His throw to the plate in the second inning traveled 307 feet in the air, according to Statcast, but it wasn't quite in time to prevent an inside-the-park homer for Javier Baez. Later in the game, Moncrief threw a laser to third that prevented a runner on second from tagging up. That one had players and coaches on both sides shaking their heads.
"That guy may have the best arm I've ever seen," Joe Maddon said, according to CSN Chicago. "That's Bo Jackson arm stuff right there. That was that good. That was Bo good. I've always thought Shawon Dunston and Bo Jackson. Shawon Dunston on the infield, Bo Jackson on the outfield. And I think Moncrief is among that group. It's incredible."
Moncrief, 28, was called up last month after more than 800 games in the minor leagues. He was originally drafted as a pitcher, and when the River Cats put him on the mound in a game earlier this season, Moncrief sat in the mid 90s. He told teammates he could hit 95 and they didn't believe him. After clocking that number, he fired one in at 97 mph.
"I wasn't surprised at all (by tonight's throws), especially the throw to third," Ryder Jones said Monday night. "That guy has a cannon."
