Since acquiring Mickey Moniak from the Philadelphia Phillies at last year’s trade deadline, the Los Angeles Angels have banked on the talent embedded in the former first-round pick. A hot start at Triple-A to open the 2023 season pushed them to promote him to the big club as their fourth outfielder.
Taking a dart throw on Moniak in the trade that sent Noah Syndergaard to the Phillies in exchange for the 25-year-old outfielder and prospect Jadiel Sanchez was right for both teams.
Through Moniak’s first 45 appearances entering play on May 31, he owns a 179 wRC+ with four homers, seven RBI and seven runs scored. His only blemishes coming by way of the strikeout and a severe lack of walks.
But his power output is up with eight extra-base hits amongst his 14 hits, Moniak explained that he made changes that have provided that boost, via Jeff Fletcher of the O.C. Register:
“I think that goes back to what I was doing in the box, crossing over,” Moniak said. “This year I made sure I stayed square and through the middle of the field. Opening my stance has helped. When I get closed off it’s a little harder to see the ball.”
His 35.6% strikeout rate is something of concern, but his 1.038 on-base plus slugging mostly came with everyday playing time from May 13 through May 23. He has yet to establish himself as a starter for the rest of the season, but that isn’t something he’s worried about:
“I think the opportunities will come with just continued success,” Moniak said. “I think being consistent is the name of the game. I’ve only been here for a little over a week, close to two weeks now.
However, manager Phil Nevin gave Moniak a day off in the finale of their series with the Boston Red Sox and in the opener with the Miami Marlins. With a day off between that, he might’ve lost a bit of his rhythm in that short layoff:
“The lineup obviously is out of my control. Obviously, I have all the trust in the world in Phil. This is a team game and I’m here to help the team win.”
Because of how impactful Moniak has been with getting on base, driving in runs, and providing another weapon for the Angels put a damper on his hot streak. However, with Taylor Ward and Hunter Renfroe also in the mix to start next to Mike Trout, Nevin will focus on which lineup is the best one each day:
“We still develop in the major leagues, but first and foremost we’re trying to win games,” Nevin said. “I’m going to put the best lineup out there each day that I feel is gonna help us win that game.”
With a record of 30-29, the Angels are teetering on desperation and a need to put the best team on the field. With the Texas Rangers continuing to hit and push themselves further away in the America League West, Nevin should find a way to ensure his top options get everyday playing time.
Angels want to build a bullpen ‘that we develop’
Offseason acquisitions of Carlos Estévez and Matt Moore have been very solid additions to a reliever group that find themselves in the upper slab around MLB.
A rash of injuries has forced the Angels’ front office to call up Chase Silseth to supplement the backend, and this week they brought in fellow right-hander Sam Bachman.
The club also called up prospect Ben Joyce officially on Sunday, giving them another high-powered arm, but it came with the loss of Moore to the 15-day injured list.
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