MESA, Ariz. — Yoan Moncada was ready for his first Cactus League start with the White Sox — against the World Series champion Cubs in Mesa.

“I’m excited to see them and the atmosphere against them,” Moncada said through translator Billy Russo Monday morning.

The Cubs were excited to see Moncada, too.

“It will be fun to see him in person,” said Cubs president Theo Epstein, noting it cost the Red Sox $63 million to sign him, with a $31.5 million bonus plus a substantial overage tax.

“That was rare territory,” Epstein said.

Indeed. But Moncada, the No. 2 prospect in baseball according to Baseball America and MLBpipeline.com, is considered a rare talent. He was acquired from the Red Sox in the trade with three other prospects for former staff ace Chris Sale.

Thus far he hasn’t shown much at the plate, but it’s a bit soon to draw conclusions. He made a nice play in the field and struck out twice in two plate appearances. He’s 0-for-4 with a walk and 3 strikeouts in three games.

“I’ve been feeling good,” Moncada said of his first White Sox camp. “The atmosphere here is good.”

The Sox have been working with Moncada in the field, making minor adjustments to give him more stability on his feet.

“I’ve been working on it,” Moncada said. “It’s nothing really hard, but you have to make adjustments. I’m trying to have my legs a little more open.

“My focus is just to try to get better in every aspect of the game — my offense, my defense and my baserunning, too. It’s the mentality we have here right now, and I’m just trying to take advantage of it.”

Frazier gets in swing:

Third baseman Todd Frazier returned to baseball activity, taking 30 swings and fielding 30 ground balls.

With an oblique strain, the return to normalcy is seldom clear-cut.

“Knock on wood we’re where we need to be,” Frazier said.

“See how we feel (Tuesday), you never know. Some people don’t believe (it was a) mild strain, but it really was.”

Frazier said he doesn’t need much game time to be ready for the season.

“There is no rush,” Renteria said.

Abreu heads to Miami:

Jose Abreu left for Miami after the game to tend to personal matters, the Sox said, and is expected back Wednesday.

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