Categories: News

Mickey Moniak homers in first at-bat of season for Angels

Mickey Moniak is a former No. 1 pick. (Cheryl Pursell)

It’s been a happy birthday for Mickey Moniak.

Playing his first game of the season on Saturday as he celebrates his 25th, the former No. 1 overall draft pick hit a leadoff home run for the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Cleveland’s Progressive Field. Moniak launched a hanging 1-2 breaking ball from Guardians starter Cal Quantrill 370 feet over the right-field wall, giving the Angels an early lead.

Moniak, the first pick in the 2016 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies, had spent the start of the season at Triple-A Salt Lake before he was recalled on Friday. He had a .940 OPS with eight homers and five triples in 33 games.

The outfielder joined the Angels organization last trade deadline when the Phillies dealt the former top pick in exchange for starter Noah Syndergaard. He had a .643 OPS in 19 games for Los Angeles in 2022.

After being selected by the Phillies in 2016, Moniak did not meet the expectations of a No. 1 pick while in Philadelphia’s organization. His minor-league production increased by 2019, but his short stints in the majors with the club that drafted him never resulted in success.

In 47 games for the Phillies from 2020-2022, Moniak had a .386 OPS with 41 strikeouts to 10 walks. With no clear role in the organization, the team traded him to the Angels.

Now back in the majors — and off to a good start — Moniak appears to have a chance to secure regular playing time for the first time in his big-league career.