By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
With the first overall pick in this year's Major League Baseball draft, the Philadelphia Phillies selected outfielder Mickey Moniak out of La Costa Canyon High School in California. After being selected and signing his deal with the Phils, Moniak graduated from high school and began his professional career with the Gulf Coast League Phillies and he hasn't disappointed thus far.
In his first professional season with the GCL Phillies, Moniak is slashing .324/.397/.491 with four doubles, three triples, a home run, 23 RBI, 19 runs scored, 17 strikeouts, eight walks and seven steals in 10 attempts. His .324 average is ranked fifth among GCL players and his 23 runs driven in has him in a tie for fifth. Moniak is hitting .346 against right-handers while struggling against lefties with a .238 average. He has had plenty of success with runners in scoring position, hitting .400 (14-for-35) with 22 RBI.
The success he's had, along with teammate Jhalyn Ortiz, has led the GCL Phils to a 24-11 record. They also lead the GCL in team average (.275), on-base percentage (.354) slugging percentage (.374), doubles (63).
Moniak, 18, hit .476/.540/.942 with 40 runs scored, 27 singles, four doubles, 12 triples, seven home runs, 13 walks and 46 runs-batted-in over 124 plate appearances in his final season at La Costa Canyon HS. He struck out just six times, was 11-for-14 in stolen base attempts and committed just one fielding error over 64 chances.
