Mickey Moniak DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

With Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (knee) moving to right field on a full-time basis in 2025, it means that Jo Adell and Mickey Moniak will play center field for the team. Moniak has played the position the most, but Adell had a very good year in right field in 2024, and the Angels will likely want to keep his bat in the lineup as much as possible. Manager Ron Washington said a few days ago that Taylor Ward will be the left fielder. The 25-year-old Adell has only started 15 games in the majors in center field, but he was a Gold Glove finalist in right field last year. Adell is the more attractive bat in fantasy for his power and speed -- he hit 20 home runs and stole 15 bags last year -- but his strikeout rate was still too high and hit he just .207. He also had a nice 44.7% hard-hit rate, but his struggles against right-handed pitching could mean he's ticketed for more of a platoon role in center with Moniak.

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mickey Moniak won his salary arbitration case with the Angels on Friday and will receive $2 million during the 2025 season, according to a source. The Angels originally offered Moniak $1.5 million earlier in January. The 26-year-old outfielder had a very similar season in 2024 to his first campaign with the Halos in 2023, hitting 14 home runs with 49 RBI and eight stolen bases in 124 games played. However, he played in just 85 games in 2023 and hit .280 compared to his .219 average (86-for-329) in 2024. The writing was on the wall for Moniak to regress this past season with a strikeout rate well over 30% back in 2023. He still has some power potential, but he hasn't been good enough against left-handed pitchers and figures to open the 2025 season as the Angels' fourth outfielder, so the playing time won't justify him as a bench option in most mixed fantasy leagues.

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mickey Moniak (hand) was forced to exit late during Sunday's game against the Houston Astros. The left-handed outfielder left in the eighth inning after getting hit by a pitch in the hand. The team already had Moniak undergo further testing which revealed a hand contusion. For now, Moniak is considered as day-to-day, so he should avoid a trip to the injured list. Michael Stefanic replaced him on Sunday, but Jordyn Adams or Gustavo Campero figure to see more playing time while Moniak is out.