Two days before the season opener, former top prospect outfielder Mickey Moniak (27), who was notified of his release by the Los Angeles Angels, is finding a new home with the Colorado Rockies.

Major League Baseball's official website, MLB.com, reported on the 27th that Colorado has agreed to a one-year contract with Moniak, with guaranteed terms of $1.25 million.

Although Moniak, after winning arbitration earlier this month, was set to receive a salary of $2 million, he was released and will receive $484,000 from the Angels for 45 days of salary while searching for a new team. His total guaranteed salary this year comes to $1,734,000.

Right-handed, left-handed center fielder Moniak is a former top prospect who was selected first overall in the first round of the 2016 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. Moniak made his Major League debut in 2020 and joined the Angels in August 2022 in a trade for pitcher Noah Syndergaard.

However, after moving teams, Moniak didn't live up to expectations. In 2023, he played 85 games with a batting average of .280 (87 hits in 311 at-bats), 14 home runs, 45 RBIs, and an OPS of .802, but in 124 games last year, he regressed with a batting average of .219 (86 hits in 392 at-bats), matching 14 home runs, 49 RBIs, and an OPS of .646.

In this year's spring training, he struggled with a batting average of .192 (10 hits in 52 at-bats), 2 home runs, 9 RBIs, and an OPS of .607 over 21 games. While he hit two home runs, his lack of accuracy led to his exclusion from the Angels' plans.

Despite this, it was unexpected. The Angels, who moved Mike Trout to right field this year, named Jo Adell as the new starting center fielder. However, due to Adell's lack of experience in the big leagues as a center fielder, there were concerns, leading to Moniak's release. It seemed to be a punishment for Moniak after winning arbitration.

Ron Washington, Angels manager, noted, "It was a very difficult decision. Moniak is a good person and meant a lot to us. However, competition always exists, and there is always the possibility of someone else coming in. This spring, Kyron Paris was that person. He showed that he could play center field," announcing that Paris would be used as a backup center fielder. Paris had a stellar spring training with a batting average of .400 (18 hits in 45 at-bats), 2 home runs, 13 RBIs, and an OPS of 1.116.

Whatever the reasons, Moniak, who received the shock release notification just two days before the opener, gets a fresh start with Colorado the next day. MLB.com explained that "Moniak can play all three outfield positions and can help reduce the physical workload on Gold Glove-winning center fielder Brenton Doyle. He may also face specific right-handed pitchers."

If things go well, he could also contend for a starting role in Colorado. Aside from center fielder Doyle, corner outfielders Jordan Beck, Sean Bouchard, Nick Martini, and Sam Hilliard are all vying for positions, but none have secured a definite spot. If Moniak unleashes his top potential, a starting position is entirely possible.

Moniak also left a farewell message through his social media, saying, "I love my teammates. I love the fans, too. I enjoyed achieving my dreams in Southern California. It's time to move on."

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