Moniak shows off tools with RBI triple, home run robbery

ANAHEIM — When the Angels known as up outfielder Mickey Moniak on May 12, they had been hoping he might present a spark after a powerful exhibiting at Triple-A Salt Lake that adopted an encouraging Spring Training.

Moniak has achieved precisely that and got here via but once more, falling only a homer wanting the cycle and robbing a house run in heart subject to assist carry the Angels to a 5-4 win over the Twins within the collection opener on Friday at Angel Stadium. Moniak smacked a game-tying triple within the eighth and has been on hearth on the plate since getting known as up, hitting .474 (9-for-19) with two homers, three RBIs and two stolen bases in six video games.

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

Moniak, the No. 1 total decide within the 2016 Draft, was introduced as much as give common outfielders Mike Trout, Hunter Renfroe and Taylor Ward some relaxation with the Angels going through a protracted stretch of right-handed beginning pitchers. Trout was held out of the lineup on Friday, giving Moniak the beginning in heart subject and because the membership’s leadoff hitter.

Moniak once more took benefit of the state of affairs along with his robust efficiency and has been impressing supervisor Phil Nevin, who had an identical trajectory as a participant, as he was additionally the No. 1 total decide within the Draft and it took him a number of years and three completely different organizations earlier than discovering his footing as an everyday with the Padres. Moniak went via some struggles and accidents with the Phillies’ group earlier than being acquired by the Angels eventually yr’s Trade Deadline for Noah Syndergaard.

“He’s done everything we’ve asked,” Nevin mentioned. “He went down with a great attitude after Spring Training after having a great spring. I know he was disappointed, but kept his head up. Did a heck of a job for a month or so in Salt Lake and got an opportunity and he’s got wrapping his hands around running with it.”

Moniak, who hit .308 with eight homers and 23 RBIs in 33 video games with Triple-A Salt Lake, led off with a single within the first inning off right-hander Joe Ryan earlier than doubling within the third to assist arrange a sacrifice fly from Ward that gave the Angels an early lead.

The Angels tacked on two extra runs within the third however couldn’t maintain the lead regardless of lefty Reid Detmers matching a profession excessive with 12 strikeouts and taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning. The Twins rallied for 3 runs within the sixth and took the lead on a solo homer from Willi Castro off lefty Tucker Davidson within the seventh.

But Moniak prevented Minnesota from including one other run by robbing Michael A. Taylor of a homer in heart subject. It was the primary residence run theft of Moniak’s profession and he credited outfield coach Damon Mashore for serving to him along with his defensive work.

“I like to pride myself on both sides of the ball,” Moniak mentioned. “Just that catch right there, a lot of work with Mash and a lot of refining stuff. I like to pride myself on being a good outfielder and just being able to see the fruits of my labor is fun.”

Moniak then helped the Angels make a comeback within the backside half of the inning, as he tripled off reliever Griffin Jax to attain Zach Neto, who led off the inning with a single. Moniak ended up getting thrown out at residence on a grounder from Ward, however after Shohei Ohtani walked, Renfroe introduced residence the go-ahead run along with his third hit of the night time.

Moniak, who grew up simply north of San Diego, mentioned he was excited to play such a key position within the win and had roughly 15-20 relations and mates on the sport, which was his first residence sport since getting known as up this season. 

“It’s special,” Moniak mentioned. “My career, if you look back on it, it’s been a wave. There’s been lots of ups and downs. And so to be able to be healthy, to be able to contribute to this team and to be able to do it consistently since Spring Training, I think that’s just a testament to a lot of hard work and a lot of time put into just trying to get better.”