Angels’ Mickey Moniak Aims to Contribute Finals Vs. in Twins

Mickey Moniak may not be in the starting lineup Sunday afternoon when the Los Angeles Angels hosted by Minnesota Twins in Anaheim, California

As the AngelsA fourth outfielder, Moniak knows his job is to be ready when called upon

Moniak is not used to this situation, considering he was the No. 1 pick in the 2016 Major League Baseball draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. However, the 25-year-old has been through the ups and downs of his pro career and understands what he needs to do to succeed.

And that starts with you actually being in the big leagues.

Moniak began the season at Triple-A Salt Lake after a Angels they decided to go with Brett Phillips as their fourth outfielder. But Phillips was designated for assignment, and Moniak’s success with the Bees — hitting .308 with 8 homers and 23 RBIs in 33 games — made the major league list.

Moniak, which a Angels In a futures trade last July that sent pitcher Noah Syndergaard to the Phillies, he is hitting .450 (9-for-20) with a double, triple, two home runs, three RBIs and a 1.376 OPS in seven games since being called up. until May 12. That includes Friday’s start in center field, in which Moniak singled, doubled, tripled and hit a home run.

“It feels incredible,” Moniak said of his recent success. “I think the ultimate goal is to be here and help the team win. And I feel like I’ve been able to do that the last week that I’ve been here. And just by focusing on one step at a time, one day at a time. “

Moniak didn’t get much of a chance with the Phillies, playing in a total of 47 games over three seasons, hampered by injuries (broken right wrist and left middle finger) and a .129 batting average. But Moniak, who was drafted out of high school in the San Diego area, appears to be more comfortable in Anaheim.

“He did everything we asked.” Angels manager Phil Nevin said. “He came out of spring training with a great attitude after having a great spring. I know he was disappointed, but he kept his head up. He did a hell of a job in Salt Lake for a month or so and he got an opportunity and he . . . to run with him.

Shohei Ohtani (5-1, 3.23 ERA) is making his tenth start of the season. Angels. The right-hander picked up the win in his last start against Baltimore on Monday despite giving up five runs in seven innings.

Ohtani, who is 1-0 with a 2.38 ERA in his two career starts against Minnesota. Gemini

Right-hander Pablo Lopez (2-2, 4.00) is making his 10th start of the season for Gemini. He took a no-decision in his last start after allowing five runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Lopez, who spent the first five seasons of his career with the Miami Marlins before being traded Gemini in January he still has to face the Angels

THE Gemini They thought so much of Lopez that they signed him to a four-year, $73.5 million contract extension after the start of the season, signing the deal on April 21.

“It’s rare … when you read the scouting reports that you look on paper and the player exceeds everything that’s written there and they say ‘great character’ and they say ‘unbelievable work ethic’ and it says everything about the quality of the pitcher. that he, said Derek Falvey, a Geminipresident of baseball operations. “Then he comes out the door and meets the man — the living, breathing human being who’s there, and (he’s) just above him.

Gemini Outfielder Byron Buxton is questionable for the series finale after leaving Saturday’s game with right leg tightness.

— Field Level Media