Mickey Moniak: a name that gives Phillies fans nightmares. The Phils selected him with the first overall pick back in 2016 in the midst of a dreadful rebuilding era, and got next to nothing in return. After years of toiling away, Moniak is finally making good on the enormous promise he showed a decade ago. Unfortunately, Moniak’s breakout year is coming in a Colorado Rockies uniform and not red pinstripes.
A demoralized Phillies fanbase needed something to cheer for in 2016, as the club was coming off of a brutal 99-loss 2015 season, and was well on its way to another 90-plus loss season. Franchise legends Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels had all either left town or would leave soon, and the 2008 World Series-winning team seemed like a distant memory.
Unfortunately, the Phillies picked just about the worst year to get the first overall pick, as they received the top choice in a legendarily bad first round that included a whopping two future All-Stars and plenty of big time busts. Moniak was far from a sure thing as an 18-year-old high school product, but the Phillies dreamed of a potential five-tool talent who could anchor center field for the next decade.
Things didn’t quite pan out that way, as the lefty swinger struggled in his first few minor league seasons and began to lose his top prospect shine. Eventually, the Mick made his MLB debut during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, but rode the shuttle back and forth between Triple-A and the majors for the next few years. All in all, Moniak posted an atrocious .129/.214/.172 slash line across 105 total plate appearances in a Phillies uniform.
Having given up on the young man, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski shipped him to the Los Angeles Angels at the 2020 trade deadline in exchange for once-elite hurler Noah Syndergaard. The deal worked, as Thor helped solidify the backend of the rotation en route to a World Series appearance, while Moniak struggled in three years with the Halos, working to a .242/.279/.430 line over 228 total games.
The Angels cut him loose two offseasons ago, and the Rockies scooped up the former top prospect for pennies on the dollar. Moniak looked worlds better in 135 games last season, posting an .824 OPS and staking a claim to an Opening Day roster spot this season.
Mickey Moniak has become just the guy the Phillies need ... in Colorado
The soon-to-be 28-year-old has come out like gangbusters to start 2026, blasting a National League-leading 11 homers through his first 27 contests, including a two-homer day against the red-hot Atlanta Braves on Sunday. It’s not just his power that has ticked up, as improved batted ball metrics have led to an insane .327 batting average to start the year.
Now for a dose of realism. Moniak does look like a vastly improved player from the failed prospect he once was in the Phillies’ system. However, he’ll likely come back down to earth from the torrid start to the year he’s had, and settle in as a very nice platoon outfield option. His sky high .339 batting average on balls in play suggests he’s been the beneficiary of a decent amount of good luck.
Still, a very reliable long-side platoon player is a great piece to have. That’s exactly what Brandon Marsh is and the Phillies have zero complaints about him. Giving up on Mickey Moniak isn’t an all-time blunder like Nolan Ryan for Jim Fregosi, Lou Brock for Ernie Broglio, or even Cristopher Sánchez for Curtis Mead. If you ask any Phillies fan, though, they’d be lying if they said they wouldn’t love to have him back.
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