Angels News: Mickey Moniak Gets Last Laugh vs Old Team That Gave Up on Him

Making it in any professional sports league can be extremely difficult. It’s the best of the best, so anything less than perfect is seen as average to some. But making it in the MLB could be argued to be one of the hardest to break into.

Not only do players need to be good enough to make the major leagues, but they have to go through multiple levels of performance to do so.

Draft picks typically start in the minors somewhere and have to work their way up the ladder. It’s one of the things that is appreciated in the sport of baseball but can be very frustrating as well.

Even the top draft picks don’t always work out the way they were supposed to. Just ask former first-overall pick Mickey Moniak. He was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies at the top of the 2016 MLB Draft but never lived up to the hype.

Now with the Los Angeles Angels, Moniak is seeing some signs of why he was taken so high. But as he's faced off against his former team this week, he did some reflecting on everything in his young career so far.

“The term 'change of scenery,' I think there's a lot that goes into it,” Moniak said. “For me, I’m an hour away from home, and that’s been great to see family. Last year, the Phillies were built to win and there wasn’t a leash for me. Being able to come over here and get that month and a half under my belt last year was huge for me. But I wouldn’t be here if the Phillies didn’t take a chance on me as an 18-year-old.”

Per MLB.com

Change of scenery can be a big thing for players. Not only do they need to have the talent to find success, but the right environment as well. It plays a massive role in the development of the athletes and where their careers can go.

Moniak had three hits against the Phillies on Monday, showing his former team that he still has a game. The 2023 season has been his best season yet, and he continues to push forward.

He is hitting .283 with 13 home runs and 41 runs batted in for the year entering Tuesday. The Angels want him to just continue being himself and improving each game. And if he can do that, he will certainly have a place in the league.