BALTIMORE — Christian Moore’s first full professional season has already been educational.
The Angels’ 2024 first-round draft pick got off to a rough start in Double-A, and then gradually began picking up his performance, including a torrid start to his time in Triple-A.
As he prepared for his major league debut after 79 minor-league games, Moore said he’s learned from the failure early in the season.
“I think when you play this game every day, you figure out what type of player you are, figure out what type of person you are,” Moore said before hitting ninth in his major league debut against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night. “That was really good for me, and I definitely needed that, that struggle, per se. And I think I came out of it a little bit. I found myself a little bit, found what I what I love to do. And it was awesome.”
Moore hit .234 in Double-A, including .158 with a 33% strikeout rate in his first 17 games. He hit .350 in 20 games at Triple-A.
Angels manager Ron Washington said the reports he’s heard are that Moore has a better two-strike approach at the plate. His strikeout rate dipped to 25%, which is still too high, after his 17-game start.
“He’s not bent on trying to hit the ball out of the ballpark,” Washington said. “He’s trying to go gap-to-gap, which he said he did in college.”
Washington said Moore seems to be solid on defense at second base.
Mostly, Washington is not concerned that any big league struggles will derail his development.
“His head is on right,” Washington said. “So now he’s just got to go out there and put his thoughts into action.”
Matthew Lugo was optioned to Triple-A to create a spot for Moore on the active roster.
Washington said he’s planning to start Moore in all three games this weekend in Baltimore and at least three of the four games against the Yankees in New York, which is Moore’s hometown.
Moore, 22, joined the Angels about 11 months after he was the No. 8 overall pick in the draft, out of the University of Tennessee. He is the latest in a line of Angels’ top draft picks to shoot quickly through the minors.
Under General Manager Perry Minasian, the Angels have promoted eight players to the majors by the end of the season following their selection in the draft, most notably Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel.
Moore was promoted to the majors at the same time as right-hander Sam Bachman, who had been injured for most of the two years since his previous major league game.
The Angels now have all four of the players taken in the first round under Minasian on their active roster. Bachman was the 2021 first-rounder, followed by Neto in 2022, Schanuel in 2023 and Moore in 2024.
Previous first-round picks Mike Trout (2009), Taylor Ward (2015), Jo Adell (2017) and Reid Detmers (2020) give the Angels a rare confluence of eight homegrown first-round picks on the active roster at the same time.
BACHMAN’S RETURN
Bachman had shoulder surgery and thoracic outlet syndrome since he last pitched in the majors, on July 3, 2023. He had a 3.18 ERA in 17 innings in relief before he got hurt.
Bachman had an 0.68 ERA in 13⅓ innings in the minors this year before getting the call.
“It’s a testament to persevering through a lot of (stuff) that’s been thrown my way,” Bachman said. “As a pitcher, it’s one pitch at a time, one battle at a time. That’s the process I’ve been carrying every day, whether it’s the rehab, or anything in life. Just keep going. It feels good to be back.”
Bachman worked two innings in his last outing at Triple-A. Washington said he would be available for two innings – or three if he’s efficient – but no more.
Bachman replaced right-hander Shaun Anderson on the roster. Anderson was designated for assignment, which also opened up a 40-man roster spot for Moore.
NOTES
Trout’s work in the outfield remains on an indefinite hold. Washington said Trout doesn’t want to be limited to DH, but the Angels are content to do that if that’s what keeps him in the lineup. Trout is still working back from a bone bruise in his left knee. “He wants to be complete, but we don’t want him to go out there until he’s 100% that he’s ready to go out there,” Washington said. “If that means he’s got to DH through the All-Star break, he’s going to DH through the All-Star break. If we get to the All-Star break and he’s got to DH the rest of the way, he’s going to DH the rest of the way. We’re not going to do anything to hurt Mike. We want his presence, and we want him in that lineup.” …
Third baseman Yoán Moncada (sore right knee) did not travel to Baltimore. Moncada can hit from the left side, but not the right, Washington said. “He still has a little bit of ache in his knee,” Washington said. “When we get back, maybe we reassess it.” …
Ward was out of the lineup on Friday because that gave him the chance to get two consecutive days off, including Thursday’s off day. Washington said he could see the left fielder “was a little fatigued.” Ward hit .105 with a .456 OPS in his previous 42 plate appearances.
UP NEXT
Angels (LHP Tyler Anderson, 2-3, 3.99 ERA) at Orioles (RHP Tomoyuki Sugano, 5-4, 3.23 ERA), Saturday, 1:05 p.m. PT, FDSN West, 830 AM