Mickey Moniak tracked down a few of his former teammates around the batting cage in Philadelphia, chatting with Bryson Stott, Alec Bohm and Johan Rojas before Wednesday night’s game.
Amid a hectic week to start the regular season, Moniak has had the chance to see some familiar faces during a series against the Phillies. The former No. 1 pick shared positive feelings about returning to Citizens Bank Park as a new member of the Colorado Rockies.
“I spent seven years of my life in this organization and kind of grew as a man and as a person,” Moniak told Phillies Nation. “Then, obviously, still a lot of the guys that I came up playing with are still over here, a lot of the coaches. So that’s awesome. Getting to see the fans. I still get a lot of support from the fans around here, which is awesome. It’s a blessing.”
Moniak was drafted with the first overall pick in 2016 and made his major-league debut in 2020. His career with the Phillies was not what either side would’ve hoped for when he was chosen with that top selection out of high school. In parts of three seasons with the club, the outfielder played 47 games and hit .129 before he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels during the 2022 season in exchange for pitcher Noah Syndergaard.
The Angels cut Moniak last Tuesday to end a three-season stint with Los Angeles after he won an arbitration case against the team over the offseason. It’s been a whirlwind since then. He quickly latched on with the Rockies and flew directly from Southern California to Tampa, Fla., for the team’s season opener on Friday against the Rays.
While Moniak still hasn’t even stepped foot in Colorado as a Rockie, he’s made an impression on his new club. The left-handed hitter hit a pinch-hit two-run home run in his first plate appearance with the Rockies on Sunday. He started against the Phillies on Wednesday and picked up a hit as Colorado lost its second straight to begin a three-game set. He’s now played four games, going 2-for-4, and will start again on Thursday afternoon.
Moniak’s team has been pleased so far and hopes the outfielder can build upon the flashes he’s shown at points throughout his career.
“Good young man,” Rockies manager Bud Black said of Moniak. “On board, coachable, good learner, listener. We’ll see. Hopefully, he can put some things together here in Colorado that can propel his career.”
Moniak has produced with some power and speed capabilities in the major leagues, but he’s failed to do so with any consistency and has struggled to stay healthy. In 2023, he had an .802 OPS in 85 games with the Angels, but he missed time late in that season with a back issue. The year prior, Moniak was in line to become Philadelphia’s regular center fielder coming out of spring training before he was hit with a pitch that broke his right hand in the final exhibition game.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson, the team’s bench coach at the start of 2022 who took over in his current role during that season, called Moniak “a great kid” who “worked hard” and expressed disappointment in how the situation played out.
“That was just very sad,” Thomson said, “because he was having a great spring. He was going to play. Seemed like the perfect opportunity for him and never got there. But he’s a great kid. I wish him all the best and hope he has a long, really great career.”
The 26-year-old Moniak has no regrets as he makes his second trip to Philly as an opponent. Sure, he wishes he could’ve taken the field as an everyday starter for the Phillies a few years ago. But he’s not bogged down by the injuries or the missed chances while he aims for a fresh start with the Rockies.
“I’m a firm believer in: everything happens for a reason,” Moniak said. “Obviously, I would have loved to start that season healthy and see what could have happened. But you can’t really look towards the past, just always taking one step forward. And things kind of unfolded the way they did. It is what it is. Definitely tough. Definitely enjoyed my time here. Now, we’re here, back as a visiting player.”
