Former No. 1 overall MLB draft pick Mickey Moniak is looking for his next team.
Moniak was released by the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday. This comes just two months after he had signed a 1-year, $2 million deal with the Angels to avoid arbitration. He will receive $333,333, which is one-sixth of that $2 million amount.
Moniak was acquired by the Angels in 2022 in a trade involving Noah Syndergaard. He showed some promising signs in 2023 when he batted a career-high .280 with 21 doubles, 14 home runs and an .802 OPS in 85 games. But he batted just .219 with a .646 OPS in 124 games last year, and he had hit just .173 in spring training this year.
The 26-year-old outfielder was the No. 1 overall pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2016 out of La Costa Canyon High School in Carlsbad, Calif., which is part of the San Diego area. He made it to the majors in 2020 but aside from the 2023 season, he has mostly struggled in his MLB action.
Moniak, who bats lefty, has struggled when he has faced left-handed pitchers. His splits are much better against right-handed pitchers. In his strong 2023 season, Moniak batted .294 with 13 of his 14 home runs coming against right-handers. He could make sense in platoon situations.
The release of Moniak means the Angels could give some opportunities to Matthew Lugo or Kyren Paris. Paris is a shortstop but has also seen time in center field. Lugo showed good power and speed in the minors last year.
