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The Colorado Rockies acquired Mickey Moniak just before the 2025 regular season, fulfilling a long-standing desire to add the former top draft pick to their organization. In 2026, Moniak recorded a 0.1 rWAR, landing at No. 25 in the season review rankings.
Hot Start and Historic Birthday Performance
After missing the first two series of the season due to a sprained right finger, Moniak made his season debut in the home opener against the Philadelphia Phillies. He put together a stellar April, playing 25 games and hitting .315/.361/.652 with eight home runs and three multi-home run games by the beginning of May. Although his batting average dipped to .230 in May, he maintained his power with a .514 slugging percentage and four more home runs.
On May 14, celebrating his birthday, Moniak hit the Rockies’ first three-run homer of the season alongside a double and a triple, missing the cycle by just a single. Early in the season, he performed like an All-Star before a right ankle injury sent him to the injured list for a full month until his return on June 22.
Trade Rumors and Contract Extension
Moniak regained his form in July with a .320/.338/.560 slash line, sparking speculation that he might be traded at the deadline, particularly to the Houston Astros. However, president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta stated that interested teams failed to meet the organization’s set price. Because Moniak remained under team control for another season, the front office quickly pivoted after the deadline to sign him to a modest one-year extension worth $9 million for 2028.
Second-Half Slump and Future Outlook
Following the extension, Moniak struggled significantly in the final two months, batting .188/.226/.365 in August and collecting only nine hits in September. His first-half stats showed a 130 wRC+ with 15 home runs, while his second-half numbers dropped to a 46 wRC+ with eight home runs.
Two primary factors contributed to this drop: his batting average on balls in play fell from .312 to .231—potentially impacted by his ankle injury—and he faced left-handed pitchers more frequently in the second half. With an offseason to rest, positive regression, and deployment as a platoon player, his struggles may not dictate his future performance, especially as he remains under contract for the next two seasons.
