GLENDALE, Ariz. — Expectations are high when you cost the team that signed you (Red Sox) more than $60 million, and the $31.5 million you got made you the highest paid prospect ever.

And when you’re ranked as the No. 2 prospect in baseball by Baseball America and MLBpipeline.com.

For Yoan Moncada, there’s also the issue of having been traded for Chris Sale, a five-time All-Star entering his prime and considered one the best pitchers in baseball. It all flows into one wide river of expectations, which can be a lot for a 21-year-old.

But Moncada lets it all slide off his broad shoulders.

“I don’t really feel the pressure because of those situations,” Moncada said through White Sox translator Billy Russo. “I feel good, relaxed and I’m just trying to enjoy this team.” Moncada said his goal is “to be working hard and to keep enjoying the game and enjoy this opportunity.

For now, that will be at the Sox’s AAA affiliate in Charlotte, where the muscular, switch-hitting five-tool prospect who reminded scouts of Mike Trout and has drawn comparisons to Robinson Cano, will open the season after finishing strong in Arizona. He batted .317 with 3 homers, a triple, 4 doubles and a team high 13 RBI during spring training Cactus League games.

In Moncada’s last seven games, he went 10-for-22 with those 4 doubles and 3 home runs. The late run began after he struck out four consecutive times in a Sunday night game against the Dodgers. He doubled off the left-field wall, an opposite field poke, his fifth time up.

“I was asked by a reporter if we were concerned if he’d struck out four times,” general manager Rick Hahn said. “He went up that night, shortened up and drove in a couple of key runs in a late rally. His ability to adapt, his work ethic, his receptiveness to instruction and ability to fairly seamlessly incorporate what we’re trying to get him to do on the fly has been impressive.”

Moncada looked relaxed and smiled politely while talking about going to Charlotte. He made 5 errors this spring, some on routine ground balls, and has worked with coach Joe McEwing on widening his base and improving his footwork in the infield.

He also has 207 plate appearances at AA and 284 at high Class A with the Red Sox last season, under his belt, which isn’t much. There quite possibly is more to be gained at the AAA level. And waiting till May to call him up saves the Sox a year of service time.

The Red Sox were so high on his talent they paid a 100 percent luxury tax on his signing bonus. Moncada believes, as most top prospects do, that he’s ready now.

“It was kind of difficult for me, but it wasn’t my decision to make,” Moncada said. “It was their decision and for me to accept it.”

• This report was produced in partnership with the Chicago Sun-Times. For more coverage, check chicago.suntimes.com.