Mickey Moniak’s connection to Ted Williams

Mickey Moniak lists Mickey Mantle as his baseball idol, but it is one of Mantle's outfield contemporaries that Moniak said has had an affect on his game.

Moniak's grandfather, Bill, signed with the Boston Red Sox in 1958. And his hitting coach at one point was Ted Williams. Bill Moniak played six seasons in Boston's farm system.

Williams stressed having a specific approach at the plate, which Bill Moniak passed down to his grandson. Mickey Moniak, who the Phillies drafted Thursday night with the No. 1 pick,  said his grandfather is his biggest fan. The advice, Moniak said, "has been huge" in his development.

Williams told Bill Moniak about what pitches to avoid. A first pitch strike on the outside part of the plate? Let the pitcher have that. Another good pitch on the corner? Lay off it.

"But once you get to 0-2, you have to get up on the plate and look to put the ball in play," Moniak said. "The pitcher is never going to beat you. That's the main mentality. It's just you vs. him. That's definitely what he's passed down to me."