Angels' Manager Reveals Preference for Everyday Leadoff Hitter & It's Not Mickey Moniak

Interesting take here!

One of the biggest stories of the Los Angeles Angels' 2023 season thus far has undoubtedly been the rise of Mickey Moniak. Being the former number one overall pick comes with a lot of expectations and he is no superstar outfielder just yet, but he is showing flashes of becoming the player the Phillies initially expected him to be.

Immediately, LA wanted to see what he was made of and allowed him to serve as leadoff batter in his first game with the squad in the midst of Taylor Ward's slump. He gave Angels fans a warm welcome with a home run in his first at-bat and has been super efficient since, batting .327 and recording an OPS of 1.034 in his 14 games with the clubhouse in 2023.

However, Taylor Ward has finally started to get back on track these past couple of nights as team manager Phil Nevin has found the perfect opportunities to put him back in the starting lineup. He has two home runs and has been batting .385 in his last three games.

And just last night in a loss against the Astros, Nevin got ejected trying to argue a strike call on Ward that got him out in the sixth inning. It's clear he wants to see him succeed.

Here's the called third strike on Taylor Ward. Huge (bad) call there. Would have brought in a run and kept the bases loaded and one out.

Phil Nevin was ejected for arguing. pic.twitter.com/aIczZLHivT

— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) June 2, 2023

Even though Moniak has been amazing thus far, Ward is the more seasoned out of the two. He has been the franchise through thick and thin since 2018.

And Nevin has made it clear that between his two outfield options, he wants Ward to play the bigger role moving forward.

“Those things change quickly,” Nevin said. “We’re two months into the season so we got a good idea what guys are gonna do. The emphasis is on winning games, as it always is. But you kind of got a better feel for what your personnel is and things like that. Like I said, our best team is when Wardo is going good and he’s at the top of our lineup. I think we’re hoping that he’s there.”

(Via OC Register)

Taylor Ward makes it back to back games with a home run 🔥@Angels | #GoHalos pic.twitter.com/5R7VUJifks

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) May 31, 2023

Having two talented players at the same position is always a good problem to have... let's a hope a good balance is found moving forward!