After a 63-99 record in the 2015 season, the Philadelphia Phillies were slotted for the Number One overall pick in the 2016 Draft. With so many great players to choose from such as Florida’s A.J. Puk, Kyle Lewis of Mercer, and Tennessee’s Nick Senzel, the Phillies selected La Costa Canyon Outfielder, Mickey Moniak.
Moniak played at the Varsity level for La Costa Canyon all four years, including a Senior season that saw a .476 Batting Average, 46 RBIs, 12 Triples, and 7 Home Runs. Moniak previously was committed to play for UCLA, but will forego playing at the college level after he signed with the Phillies earlier this week.
Outside of High School ball, Moniak has won two Gold Medals in the World Junior Championships playing for the U.S. National team at the 15U and 18U level. He was also named a Perfect Game All American last summer, and played in the All American Game last August at Petco Park. Moniak is the 5th San Diego native to go first overall since 2000 joining Adrian Gonzalez (2000), Matt Bush (2004), Stephen Strasburg (2009), and Brady Aiken (2014). All four players, with the exception of Brady Aiken, are currently playing in the Majors. Aiken is only 20 years old and getting back on the mound after undergoing Tommy John surgery last spring. Moniak will start his professional career in the Gulf Coast League and will likely spend a couple seasons in the Minor Leagues before being called up. He turned 18 just last month.