Thursday, June 9, 2016
PHILLIES SELECT MICKEY MONIAK FIRST OVERALL IN 2016 DRAFT
The Philadelphia Phillies selected outfielder Mickey Moniak with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft, Johnny Almaraz, Director of Amateur Scouting, announced tonight.
Moniak, an 18-year-old left-handed hitter, played for La Costa Canyon High School in Carlsbad, Calif., where he batted .476 with a .921 slugging percentage, 12 triples, seven home runs, 46 RBI and 40 runs scored in his senior year. In four varsity seasons, he hit .390 with 105 RBI and 105 runs scored.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound outfielder was named the 2015-16 Gatorade California Baseball Player of the Year, an award which recognizes athletic excellence, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, sportsmanship and community leadership. He was a 2016 Rawlings-Perfect Game First Team All-American and has also earned two gold medals with USA Baseball’s 15U and 18U National teams.
Moniak is the fifth San Diego product to be selected No. 1 overall in the MLB draft since 2000, joining Adrian Gonzalez (2000), Matt Bush (2004), Stephen Strasburg (2009) and Brady Aiken (2014). Additionally, his grandfather, Bill, played for six years in the Boston Red Sox minor league system, and his father, Matt, played baseball at San Diego State.
“Collectively, we believe Mickey was the best player available in the draft,” Almaraz said. “He’s a true center fielder with incredible offensive ability and the potential to be a perennial All-Star.”
The Phillies’ next and final selection tonight will be in the second round (42nd overall). The draft will continue tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. with rounds three through 10, and will conclude Saturday with rounds 11 through 40. Philadelphia’s first selection tomorrow will be in the third round (78th overall).
-30-
Press Releases provided courtesy of the Phillies, Media Relations. Thanks, guys!
