Hailing from the southern California high school ranks, Moniak springboarded from a strong summer showcase to a spring that saw him continue to excel, moving up boards and landing as the No. 1 overall pick. The Phillies signed him for $6.1 million, well under pick value, and Moniak had a solid pro debut in the Gulf Coast League, though fatigue and a minor hip flexor slowed him temporarily.

Moniak has considerable tools that should excite Phillies fans. He can flat-out rake, making consistent hard contact from the left side of the plate. He started showing more power during his senior year and he could approach Major League average pop as a pro. Perhaps more impressive than his innate ability to barrel up the ball is his IQ at the plate, with an approach far advanced for his age and a willingness to use all fields. Moniak runs very well, allowing him to be a threat on the bases and to cover a lot of ground in center field, where he has the chance to be an elite defender.

Moniak was already gaining good weight and adding strength last fall, something that served him well in his first full season of pro ball. His instincts, work ethic and natural tools all point to him living up to the expectations usually heaped on a No. 1 pick's shoulders.