Mickey Moniak says he never got a true chance in Philadelphia
The Phillies former No. 1 overall pick, Mickey Moniak, is now the new starting centerfielder for the Los Angeles Angels after being dealt at the MLB Trade Deadline for veteran starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard.
Moniak spoke with the Los Angeles Angels media about his time in Philadelphia and the opportunity he was given (or lack thereof) to succeed in the Phillies organization.
Here’s what Mickey Moniak had to say about his time in Philadelphia
“Looking back on my time in Philadelphia, I was grateful for it, (being) given a chance as an 18-year-old kid, came up with them, debuted with them. But I think that you know, for me, I’ve always been a guy that maybe takes a little bit to get comfortable at every level, and once I get comfortable, it’s on from there. So, wasn’t really given that opportunity there, which makes sense. They’re always in a pennant hunt with a lot of money on the field, so just to be here and be told that you’re gonna go out and play and have some fun is huge.”
There’s a good portion of Phillies fans on the internet that have taken Moniak’s comments negatively, but no matter how you feel about it, he’s certainly not wrong. Moniak appeared in just 47 games at the major league level slashing just .129/.214/.172 in 105 plate appearances, with 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 12 hits, and 41 strikeouts.
Mickey Moniak was fantastic down in Spring Training ahead of the 2022 season but suffered an unfortunate hand injury the day before Opening Day, sidelining him for the first two months of the season. He was predicted to be the starting centerfielder for the beginning of the season, but with the injury, plus somewhat of a logjam in centerfield with Matt Vierling and Odubel Herrera rise, Moniak’s development was never at the top of the Phillies priority list.
I really hope Moniak pans out in Los Angeles because the kid is a special ballplayer when he’s swinging the bat with confidence. If you missed it, he already hit a home run in just 7 ABs with the Angels.
The Phillies will look to continue to plummet that Nationals tonight at 6:05 EST. Ranger Suarez gets the ball for the Fightins.
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