The Rockies continue to reshape their outfield, agreeing with Mickey Moniak to a one-year, $1.25 million contract on Wednesday.
The deal, which the Rockies have not announced, was first reported by MLB.com.
Moniak, 26, was released by the Angels on Tuesday. The left-handed hitter was Philadelphia’s first-round pick in the 2016 draft out of La Costa Canyon High School in Carlsbad, Calif.
A spot on the Rockies’ 40-man roster opened when the team waived Greg Jones, who the White Sox claimed on Wednesday.
Moniak spent the last two seasons as a part-time starter in center field for the Angels, playing in 85 games in 2023 and 124 last season. In 2023, he slashed .280/.307/.495 with 14 homers but struck out in 35% of his 323 plate appearances.
Last season, he received more playing time and cut his strikeout rate to 27.3%, but his production fell significantly. He slashed .219/.266/.380 with 14 homers over 418 plate appearances. Moniak has a .230/.272/.402 career slash line with the Phillies and Angels.
The Rockies want to be able to give two-time Gold Glove center fielder Brenton Doyle an occasional break. Right-handed-hitting Tyler Freeman, acquired from the Guardians on Saturday in a trade for left fielder Nolan Jones, started in center in Cleveland for much of last year. Freeman will also be used as a backup infielder.
Moniak could not only back up Doyle, but he could play as a corner outfielder. The Rockies plan to mix and match the starting trio of left-handed-hitting Nick Martini and right-handed hitters Jordan Beck and Sean Bouchard.
The addition of Moniak might not leave room on the big-league roster for veteran Sam Hilliard, who had a bad spring training, hitting .137 (7 for 51) with just three extra base hits. Hilliard struck out at a 48.2% clip.
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