Phillies promote 2016 first overall pick OF Mickey Moniak

The Phillies have promoted their former No. 1 overall pick Mickey Moniak to the majors

The first overall pick of the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft — outfielder Mickey Moniak — has received his call to “The Show.” Prior to their Wednesday evening game against the New York Mets, the Philadelphia Phillies selected the 22-year-old’s contract and promoted to their big-league roster.

In additional moves, outfielder Kyle Garlick (right oblique strain) and RHP Jake Arrieta (right hamstring strain) were each placed on the 10-day injured list. Also, RHP Connor Brogdon was recalled from the Phillies alternate training site. Given there was one 40-man roster spot open, no current member needed to be removed to add Moniak.

Moniak, 22, becomes the 17th player from the 2016 draft selected in the top 30 to reach the Major League level. Notable others include Nick Senzel (No. 2), Ian Anderson (No. 3), Braxton Garrett (No. 7), Kyle Lewis (No. 11), and Gavin Lux (No. 20), notes The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Scott Lauber.

Moniak had not been a part of the Phillies’ 60-man player pool until late August. The Californian former high school standout has batted just .256/.302/.390 in professional baseball since through 402 games — all at the Double-A level or lower.

Last season at Double-A Reading, spanning 119 games and 503 plate appearances, Moniak slashed .252/.303/.439 with 28 doubles, 13 triples, 11 home runs, 67 RBI, 33 walks, and 111 strikeouts.

MLB Pipeline ranks Moniak as the Phillies’ No. 13-ranked prospect, praising him as an “above-average runner” who can steal bases. Moniak successfully stole 15 of his 18 attempts at Double-A in 2019.

With Garlick’s addition to the injured list, the Phillies now have just four healthy outfielders in the majors other than Moniak — Bryce Harper, Adam Haseley, Andrew McCutchen, and Roman Quinn. Veteran Jay Bruce could rejoin the team from the injured list as early as in a few days.