Moniak has found a comfort zone, and it shows

CLEVELAND -- When the Angels acquired outfielder Mickey Moniak from the Phillies in exchange for right-hander Noah Syndergaard at the Trade Deadline on Aug. 2, they were hopeful that the former top Draft pick would improve with a change of scenery.

It’s been the case so far, as the early returns have been solid, with Moniak homering and hitting a double as the leadoff hitter in a 5-3 loss to the Guardians on Wednesday at Progressive Field. Moniak, the No. 1 overall pick in 2016, has batted .250/.270/.611 with three homers, two doubles, a triple and six RBIs in 11 games with the Angels since the trade.

"He was really good again,” said interim manager Phil Nevin. “I felt like he swung it OK the last two days but had some misses. But he was right on some pitches and his decisions were good. He got into a couple today. I really like the way he's swinging it."

Moniak has also remained productive despite a fractured left middle finger sustained on a bunt attempt on Aug. 6. He missed a month with the injury and is still playing through some discomfort, but he homered twice during his two-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake and has been displaying his power since returning to the Angels' lineup. In his six games since returning from the injured list, Moniak has hit .227 with a homer, two doubles, a triple and three RBIs.

“I've been feeling good,” Moniak said. “The finger feels ... close to 100 percent. It still feels a little weird as far as being numb, but that's going to happen when you split it open like that. But as far as playing-wise goes, I feel like it's at 100 percent. I've been feeling pretty good at the plate and swinging the bat pretty well."

It’s been a nice change of pace for Moniak, 24, who batted .130 with no homers and a double in 18 games with the Phillies this season. He had just one homer and a double in 47 games and 105 plate appearances with Philadelphia over the last three seasons, but he already has six extra-base hits through 11 games and 37 plate appearances with Los Angeles.

Moniak isn’t surprised by his recent power surge, saying it has become a bigger part of his game as he’s continued to develop. He also notably broke his right hand in the second-to-last game of Spring Training and didn’t return to the Phillies until May 30, so he was still building up strength in his hand early in the season.

"I think it's always been there,” he said. “I think if you look back at my Minor League numbers, it gradually increased. Just kind of maturing with my body. And this Spring Training, I hit six homers. So it's always been there. But it's hitting, and you have to be comfortable up there and have everything working for you. I feel comfortable here, and I think that's why the numbers are kind of coming up."

Moniak opened the game by striking out against Guardians right-hander Cal Quantrill but connected on a two-run homer in the third to give the Angels a 2-1 lead. Moniak got all of a 1-1 changeup, sending it a projected 395 feet to right field with an exit velocity of 104.5 mph.

He also sparked a two-out rally in the fifth, when he doubled on a 1-0 sinker from Quantrill and scored on a bloop single from Mike Trout.

Nevin can relate to Moniak, as he was the No. 1 overall pick by the Astros in 1992 but struggled with his first organization before being traded to Detroit as a rookie. Nevin found more success with the Tigers, although he noted his real success didn't come until he was on his fourth team (the Padres).

Nevin, like Moniak, is a native of Southern California, and he believes that playing closer to home helps Moniak.

“It took me a few teams,” Nevin said, “but I think there’s a comfort level for him, I think, being closer to home, being around family. Philly can be a tough place for a lot of people. It’s a special city, but it can be tough. I think the comfort level we’re seeing from him right now is going to benefit him a great deal, and we’re going to see the best version of what he is.”