Ever-effusive Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington does not try to conceal his enthusiasm when discussing top propsect Christian Moore. He believes the 22-year-old can start the 2025 season with the big-league club after playing only 25 games in the minors.
“What do you know about the young man?” Washington asked right back when queried about the Angels’ top prospect. Without waiting for a reply, he continued rapid-fire: “I’ll tell you. First off, he’s an athlete. You can tell that right off. And he is very mature. That makes him a special athlete because he’s also really smart and just picks up everything he sees, everything he’s told. He handles everything thrown at him.
“There’s no restrictions on him this spring. He’s good enough that I can say, ‘There’s a job out there for you. Wide open. Go get it.’ ”
Whether that job is at second base, where Moore has primarily played, the outfield, where he was tried for a few games here and there, or third base, which he played once in summer ball three years ago, is anybody’s question.
With veteran Anthony Rendon yet again out with an injury, third base is an option. The Angels signed free agent Yoan Moncada. He has his own long list of injuries. Luis Rengifo is slated to play second, but can play third.
“We’re going to watch him at all of them,” Washington said of Moore. “I want to see his decisions at second base. Third base is about reaction. You make a play, bam. Or you don’t. We’ll see. The player usually makes the decision for us.”
Moore made the Angels’ decision to pick him eighth overall in the 2024 Draft easy by hitting .375 with 34 homers and 74 RBI in 72 games last spring at the University of Tennessee. The 6-1, 210-pound native of Brooklyn, NY, signed for $4,997,500 and promptly began his pro career by hitting .347 with 6 homers in 25 games.
If not for a slight knee injury, the prized prospect was expected to be called up to the majors last September.
It would not be as if the Angels suddenly decided to throw Christian to the lions. In 2023, they promoted first baseman Nolan Schanuel shortly after the draft. Shortstop Zach Neto is entering his third year at age 24. Superstar outfielder Mike Trout made his MLB debut at 19 in 2011 and was AL Rookie of the Year and second in MVP voting at 20.
“When you’re good, you’re good, age isn’t a factor,” Washington said. “Christian’s good.”
Scouting Christian Moore
Some scouts are not as convinced as Washington that Moore can be a sure thing, saying his college production was enhanced by using aluminum bats. They like his uppercut swing but point out that makes him prone to strikeouts against more savvy MLB pitchers.
Moore gets the most out of a powerful but not overly violent swing that comes out of a slightly closed stance. He holds his hands high, uses a toe-tap stride and maintains good balance. There’s a lot to like there.
Most of his success comes from being quick enough to come around on inside pitches. He appears a bit vulnerable to breaking balls and slow stuff on the outside half of the plate. Right-handers with good sliders and lefties with moving changeups could be a problem. The majors are loaded with such pitchers.
Second Or Third?
A player who came up as a second baseman and thrived at third is Justin Turner, who has a similar body build. Also 6-foot-1, Turner did not come along with as glowing credentials. He was a seventh-round pick by the Cincinnati Reds in 2006 at age 21 and did not really stick in the majors until 2011. By then he had been traded to the Baltimore Orioles, then claimed on waivers by the New York Mets.
Turner played more second than third until signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent in 2014. A year later, he reached double-digits in homers for the first time at at age 30. Now 40, he has reached double digits every year since except for the Covid-shortened 2020 season.
In 1982, another 6-foot-1 infielder who had been only a 20th-round pick, played 133 games as a Chicago Cubs rookie at third base. Ryne Sandberg switched to second the next year and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005.
Christian Moore’s Outlook
Moore is a confident young man, but not overly impressed with himself.
After making his Double-A debut last summer, he humbly told Jesus Cano of MLB.com: “I’m definitely blessed for this opportunity. I thank the Angels for taking a shot on me in the draft. I’m going to work hard and make sure I show up at work every day prepared to win and ready to play.”
That’s a solid base to go with athleticism. Maybe Christian Moore does need more work in the minors. Perhaps he can’t play third as well as needed. As Washington said, the player’s performance ultimately makes the decision.
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