The former number-one overall pick in the MLB Draft has had a couple of stops in his career, but seems to have found a home, playing among the Rocky Mountains
By Ryan K Boman | SPORTS ILLUSTRATED | August 3, 2026
For Mickey Moniak, finding a home with the Colorado Rockies represented a turning point in his Major League Baseball career. The 28-year-old outfielder, who took a couple of detours on his way to Denver, couldn’t have mapped out a much better coming-of-age plan.
Moniak began his career as the first overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, and he was projected to be a cornerstone of the Philadelphia Phillies franchise. Instead, he was dealt away to the Los Angeles Angels in their 2022 deal for starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard. After three seasons of injury and inconsistency, the formerly vaunted prospect was unceremoniously released.
He signed with the Rockies that offseason and has flourished. This season, the multi-talented hitter is batting .278, with 17 home runs, 46 RBI, and an .881 OPS, and he’s certainly helped solidify the Colorado lineup and become a reliable clutch player. However, for those same qualities, he may… READ MORE HERE
