Aug 31, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mickey Moniak (16) celebrates after hitting a walk-off home run in the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Kirby Lee
The Los Angeles Angels are going to release Mickey Moniak, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Tuesday afternoon:
The Los Angeles Angels are releasing outfielder Mickey Moniak, sources tell ESPN. They owe him $333,333 — one-sixth of the $2 million salary he won in an arbitration hearing over the winter. Similar situation to J.D. Davis’ last spring. Arb settlements are guaranteed. Not cases.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 25, 2025
A clarification on what Moniak would be owed when released: Because it’s so close to Opening Day, the collective-bargaining agreement stipulates a player would receive 45 days of pay out of the 186-day schedule — $483,970.97, to be precise, in Moniak’s case. https://t.co/Anlv4mXrVh
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 25, 2025
Moniak was selected by the Phillies with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft. Admittedly, it wasn't a draft with a Bryce Harper or Paul Skenes-type player at the top of the class. But Moniak still disappointed, ultimately appearing in only 47 games for the Phillies between 2020 and 2022, hitting .129 with a .386 OPS.
To his credit, Moniak did have some successful stretches in parts of three seasons with the Angels, who acquired him from the Phillies in the August 2022 RHP Noah Syndergaard trade. Moniak hit .280 with 14 home runs, 45 RBIs and an .802 OPS over 85 games in 2023, looking like he had turned the corner and was going to be a very productive player for the Halos. Instead, he regressed in 2024, hitting .219 with a .646 OPS and 0.1 WAR across 124 games. He followed that up by hitting only .173 this spring, culminating in his release after the Angels added a slew of veterans to Ron Washington's roster in the offseason.
Moniak won't turn 27 until May, so his story as a player isn't necessarily done being written yet. He can play all three outfield positions, and is just a couple seasons removed from being really productive in just over half a season. Health has been a major issue for Moniak during his career, and it does feel like the burden of having been the top overall pick in a draft has always worked against him.
