Mickey Moniak (25, LA Angels), who was first overall in the rookie draft, continued to hit the peak of the demonstration game. However, it is unclear whether they will survive in the big leagues.
On the 23rd (Korean time), Moniak started as a 7th hitter and left fielder in an exhibition game against the Colorado Rockies held at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, 3 hits (2 homers), 2 points and 6 RBIs in 3 at-bats. He led the team to a 10-9 victory. Moniac’s exhibition game batting average was 0.409 (18 hits in 44 at-bats). The combined OPS of on-base percentage (0.435) and slugging percentage (0.750) reaches 1.185. After Corey Seager (Texas Rangers, 20), he tied for the second most hits in an MLB exhibition game. 메이저놀이터
Moniak, who recorded a solo home run in the first at-bat in the top of the second inning, hit an RBI double in the second at-bat in the fourth inning. The highlight was the third at-bat. Moniak pulled left-handed pitcher Brad Hand’s 5th pitch slider in the 6th inning, leading 5-3, with two outs and bases loaded, and connected it with a grand slam that went over the right fence. Moniak, who recorded 100% on-base, was replaced in defense at the end of the 6th inning.
It is difficult to be certain whether Moniac will remain in the big leagues despite the strong blows in the demonstration game. The Orange County Register, a local California media outlet, said, “The Angels, which are supported by Taylor Ward, Mike Trout, and Hunter Renfro, have no place in the outfield to start. Moniac may decide it’s better for both him and the organization if he plays every day in Triple-A instead of sitting on the MLB bench.” World and Trout are the main hitters who hit 23 homers and 40 homers last year. Renfro, who was acquired through a trade last December, also hit 29 homers last year. As it is an outfield trio that can jointly hit 100 homers, it is not easy for Moniak to be guaranteed playing time.
Moniak was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies with the 1st overall pick in the 1st round of the 2016 draft. He is a super-special prospect who received only a down payment of 6.1 million dollars (7.9 billion won). His 2020 debut in the big leagues saw him limited at-bats. In August of last year, when pitcher Noah Syndergaard was traded, he was traded to the Angels and moved the team. The situation ahead of his first full-time season with the Angels. He is making a mark in the exhibition game with a hard hit, but it is not easy to create gaps. Moniak’s overall (6 years) minor league record was a batting average of 0.256, 45 homers and 279 RBIs. He has appeared in 66 games (3 years) in the big leagues, with a batting average of 0.157 (24 hits in 153 at-bats), 4 homers and 11 RBIs.