Two days before their 2025 season opener, the Los Angeles Angels released former No. 1 overall pick Mickey Moniak.
Taken first overall by the Phillies in 2016, Moniak made his big-league debut in 2020 but was unable to find regular playing time in Philadelphia. He was traded to the Angels in 2022 and had a breakout 2023 season, posting a 2.2 WAR with a .280 average and .802 OPS in 85 games.
Moniak got the chance to play every day last season but struggled in 124 games, batting .219 with a .646 OPS.
Despite a rough campaign, the Angels tendered Moniak a contract for 2025, and the 26-year-old was expected to split center field duties with Jo Adell as Mike Trout was shifted to right. The release of Moniak, who was 9-for-52 (.173) with 18 strikeouts in spring training, opens the door for prospect Matthew Lugo to make the opening-day roster.
Los Angeles begins the 2025 season on the road against the Chicago White Sox and the Angels haven’t made the playoffs since 2014, baseball’s longest active postseason drought.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.