Rockies Sign Mickey Moniak

In a surprising turn of events, the Colorado Rockies have come to terms with former first overall pick Mickey Moniak, sealing a one-year contract worth $1.25 million. This development follows Moniak's release from the Los Angeles Angels just a day earlier. Although the Rockies have yet to officially announce the signing, sources report that they have made room on their 40-man roster by waiving Greg Jones, who subsequently signed with the Chicago White Sox.

Moniak's Career and Departure from Angels

Moniak, who is represented by Wasserman, has played in the major leagues for just over three years and will remain under the Rockies' control through 2027 via the arbitration process. His transition from the Angels comes after a challenging season filled with ups and downs. Interestingly, Moniak recently engaged in an arbitration hearing with the Angels, ultimately winning a $2 million salary. However, due to a new collective bargaining agreement clause, arbitration salaries won’t be fully guaranteed unless a mutual agreement is reached.

Financial Implications of the Move

This financial maneuvering meant that once released, Moniak would only receive termination pay until the start of the regular season—amounting to roughly $484,000 from the Angels. Now combined with what he’s set to earn in Colorado, his total financial assurances for the season come to about $1.73 million—a figure slightly below the initial award from his arbitration hearing but still a notable improvement over the Angels' initial $1.5 million filing figure.

Moniak's Performance History

Moniak, a left-handed hitting center fielder, saw varying levels of success during his tenure with the Angels. He shined in 2023, batting .280 with 14 home runs over 85 games. However, a staggering 35% strikeout rate raised red flags about his sustainability at that level. The following season, his performance saw a sharp decline, leading to a disappointing .219 average across 418 plate appearances, despite reducing his strikeout rate to 27.3%.

Angels' Strategy and the Release

The Angels' decision to shift superstar Mike Trout to right field created an opportunity for Moniak to step into a more prominent role alongside another former top prospect, Jo Adell, in a potential center field platoon. However, a catastrophic Spring Training performance—where he hit just .191 and struck out 18 times—led the Angels to part ways with him, allowing them to save over $1.5 million in salary.

Moniak's Role with the Rockies

As he steps into his new role with Colorado, Moniak is expected to serve as a fourth outfielder behind Brenton Doyle, who is regarded as one of the cream-of-the-crop center fielders in Major League Baseball. Other strong contenders on the Rockies' roster, including Jordan Beck, Sean Bouchard, and newly-added Nick Martini, will fill the corner outfield positions, further adding competition and potential headaches for the coaching staff.

Competing for a Spot

To complicate matters, fellow outfielder Sam Hilliard, also a left-hander and out of options, could find himself on the chopping block if Moniak secures a roster spot, especially after a tumultuous Spring Training where Hilliard batted a woeful .137.

Looking Ahead

As the Rockies look to build toward a more competitive season, Moniak’s performance in the coming weeks will be eagerly scrutinized, especially as he aims to prove he is more than just a first overall pick—but a valuable asset in the Rockies’ quest for success.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story!