After trade, Mickey Moniak has 'nothing but respect' for Phillies

DENVER — Trying to now establish himself with the Colorado Rockies, Mickey Moniak stood across from the Philadelphia Phillies on Opening Day earlier this season and couldn't help but wonder what might have been.

Moniak, taken by the Phillies with the No. 1 pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, was part of the organization for six seasons, including portions of three at the MLB level. However, a trade with the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 2, 2022, brought a sudden end to Moniak's time with the Phillies.

While Moniak has returned to Citizens Bank Park with the Angels, this year's visit to Philadelphia was a bit different. Signed to a one-year contract by the Rockies, who were the Phillies' Opening Day opponent, Moniak could take in all of the pageantry that came along with the beginning of another Philadelphia home season from the away team's baseline.

"Going back there this year, our second series of the year for their home opener, I kind of reflected during that Opening Day ceremony. I was a part of it one year (2022)," Moniak said. "You have seven years of your life that you spend in one organization. Same group of people, same guys coming up in the minor leagues. Obviously miss the guys and miss the coaching staff."

On that Opening Day of 2022, Moniak was on the field but injured after being hit by a pitch in the final spring training game and sustaining a broken hand. That would keep him out of the Philadelphia lineup until May 30. Hitting just .130, Moniak was traded to the Angels less than two months later as part of the deal that landed Noah Syndergaard in the City of Brotherly Love.

Moniak was released by the Angels on March 25 and signed by the Rockies one day later, with the deal coming together quickly thanks to his long relationship with Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt.

While the 27-year-old Moniak may not have made the impact with the Phillies the franchise was hoping for when they drafted him, he is still appreciative of his time with Philadelphia.

"The organization was nothing but good to me, and I have nothing but respect for that organization," Moniak said. "They do it the right way. I'm just grateful that I got to spend that time there."