The Philadelphia Phillies chose California high school outfielder Mickey Moniak with the first overall selection in the 2016 MLB Draft, announced at MLB Network Studios in Secaucus, N.J.
MLB Draft 2016: Phillies take OF Mickey Moniak with 1st overall pick
It was the second time in franchise history that the Phillies had the No. 1 overall pick. The previous time this happened, they also selected a college player, drafting Miami outfielder Pat Burrell in 1998.
The 6’2 center fielder was clocked in the 60-yard dash at 6.58 seconds, per Abbey Mastracco of the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Moniak was rated as the eighth-best prospect in the 2016 draft in May by Baseball America, who said he “explodes around the basepaths and earns plus defensive grades in center field.”
Moniak helped the Team USA under-18 team capture the gold medal at the 2015 U18 Baseball World Cup in Japan.
Moniak is the highest-ever pick out of La Costa Canyon High School in Carlsbad, Calif., with the previous high a pair of 15th-round picks — Will Swanner to the Rockies in 2010, and Phillip Evans to the Mets in 2011.
The left-handed batter is committed to play college ball at UCLA, but perhaps being drafted this high will convince him to forego college and sign. The No. 1 pick has an allotted slot amount of $9.015 million, per MLB.com.
“Moniak features a good set of physical tools, with above-average running speed, a solid-average throwing arm, and outstanding outfield defensive instincts. His weakest tool is raw power but he isn’t punchless,” wrote our John Sickels at Minor League Ball in May. “Most observers consider his swing mechanics to be excellent and he is one of the top pure hitters in the class.”
Moniak was mentioned as a potential first overall pick to the Phillies in some mock drafts, and he told our Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish last week that it was “awesome” to be considered that high.
“I’ve heard from teams. You can’t expect anything or assume where you’re going to go. You have to just enjoy yourself,” Moniak said. “I’m enjoying the rest of high school, and when June 9 comes around I’ll be waiting for my name to be called. It’s exciting, it has been a great experience to this point.”
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