DENVER — Attempting to now set up himself with the Colorado Rockies, Mickey Moniak stood throughout from the Philadelphia Phillies on Opening Day earlier this season and could not assist however marvel what may need been.
Moniak, taken by the Phillies with the No. 1 decide within the 2016 MLB Draft, was a part of the group for six seasons, together with parts of three on the MLB stage. Nevertheless, a commerce with the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 2, 2022, introduced a sudden finish to Moniak’s time with the Phillies.
Whereas Moniak has returned to Residents Financial institution Park with the Angels, this 12 months’s go to to Philadelphia was a bit totally different. Signed to a one-year contract by the Rockies, who had been the Phillies’ Opening Day opponent, Moniak may soak up all the pageantry that got here together with the start of one other Philadelphia residence season from the away group’s baseline.
“Going again there this 12 months, our second collection of the 12 months for his or her residence opener, I form of mirrored throughout that Opening Day ceremony. I used to be part of it one 12 months (2022),” Moniak stated. “You will have seven years of your life that you simply spend in a single group. Similar group of individuals, similar guys developing within the minor leagues. Clearly miss the fellows and miss the teaching employees.”
On that Opening Day of 2022, Moniak was on the sphere however injured after being hit by a pitch within the ultimate spring coaching sport and sustaining a damaged hand. That will maintain him out of the Philadelphia lineup till Might 30. Hitting simply .130, Moniak was traded to the Angels lower than two months later as a part of the deal that landed Noah Syndergaard within the Metropolis of Brotherly Love.
Moniak was launched by the Angels on March 25 and signed by the Rockies in the future later, with the deal coming collectively shortly because of his lengthy relationship with Rockies basic supervisor Invoice Schmidt.
Whereas the 27-year-old Moniak might not have made the impression with the Phillies the franchise hoped for once they drafted him, he’s nonetheless appreciative of his time with Philadelphia.
“The group was nothing however good to me, and I’ve nothing however respect for that group,” Moniak stated. “They do it the suitable manner. I am simply grateful that I received to spend that point there.”
