Phillies prospect Mickey Moniak has high expectations with being the first overall pick
Even through just five professional league games with the Phillies Gulf Coast League squad people are picking apart the 18-year-old outfielder. Mickey Moniak is finally getting his feet wet after signing his professional contract with the Phillies following last months draft.
So far he has only five singles in 17 at bats, which puts him at .294 as he starts his professional career.
Five games in the Gulf Coast League just weeks after graduating high school is certainly not a measuring stick for how a players’ career will turnout. We knew he had limited power, but he would provide a top of the lineup batting average and the ability to get on base.
Phillies 1st overall pick Mickey Moniak through his first five professional games pic.twitter.com/owWdqbbeQr
— PHILLIES TBOH (@FS_TBOH) July 5, 2016
An on-base percentage of .400 isn’t too shabby, but you will want to see a slugging percentage higher than the OBP. With no extra-base hits yet this season, his slugging percentage equals his batting average.
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Moniak has five strikeouts and only two walks thus far in Florida, but has three multi-hit games.
However, the first overall pick seems to be taking the pressure and publicity well, sticking around late to sign autographs and getting himself in professional baseball shape.
Moniak says he loves the heightened level of competition that comes with being a professional baseball player, and is doing what ever is needed to be done to someday make it to Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
"“Anything you can do to move up. There are guys out here trying to take your job. You’re trying to take their job. It’s a good environment, getting to know the guys. But it’s also a job, and you’re trying to do your best and move up as soon as possible. I like the added incentives. The competition definitely fuels me. So I’m excited.”"
Moniak has also gotten the chance to play with Phillies 2015 first round pick Cornelius Randolph, who is on a rehab assignment after starting the year with Lakeland. In his four games recovering from a strained left shoulder injury suffered early in the season, Randolph only has one hit with the GCL.
Randolph was hitting .240 with Lakeland prior to the injury this year following a .302 season in the Gulf Coast League last season.