The Los Angeles Angels’ 2024 first-round pick Christian Moore is already dominating in Double-A. He hit his fourth and fifth home runs during a four-hit game Friday night for Rocket City. The Angels selected the second baseman with the eighth pick in this year’s MLB Draft and he has started his professional career in dramatic fashion. First, the Angels promoted Moore after only two games in Class A. Then, he spent his first week in Double-A embarrassing Southern League pitchers. If he continues his torrid pace, the organization will have no choice but to promote him again. Given their recent history with first-round picks, it would surprise no one to see Moore in Anaheim before the end of the 2024 season. Or, maybe that’s just what Angels fans are hoping to see.
Angels First-Round Pick Christian Moore is On Fire in Double-A
Even before the MLB Draft, Moore was seen as a player on the fast track to the Major Leagues. In seven minor league games, he has already shown why. Moore’s production at the plate isn’t the only thing that shows he’s ready. Yet, it is the most impressive. The Angels first-round pick has destroyed minor-league pitching. The club placed him in Class A to begin his career, and he went 6-for-11 with a home run and two doubles. Thus, the Angels decided to give him a harder challenge. Yet, Double-A has proven to be much the same. While the sample size is incredibly small, Moore has decimated Southern League pitching.
Over five games, Moore is 11-for-20 at the plate. His .550 batting average pairs nicely with five home runs, including two multi-homer games. Although no one expects him to slash .550/.571/1.300/1.871 forever, there’s noticeably less shock now when he delivers at the plate. Moore has been that good. Defensively, he has long been a second baseman given his average arm strength. Still, he has looked excellent in the field even if most people are too busy staring at his offensive stats to notice. If there’s reason to worry about Moore as he moves up the ladder, it’s that he has yet to walk much. Given the sample size, though, this is hardly a concern for the Angels.
Christian Moore is unlike anything we have ever seen. pic.twitter.com/hTozxz0Zte
— Rocket City Trash Pandas (@trashpandas) August 10, 2024
Will the Angels Call Moore Up to the Majors?
The question of the moment is whether or not the Angels will give Moore time in the big leagues this season. While Triple-A seems like the next stop on Moore’s journey, that’s no guarantee for the Angels first-round pick.
The organization has been historically quick to promote draftees over the last few seasons, including their last two first-round picks. Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel were both deserving of their rapid promotions but neither one of them hit to Moore’s level. Neto, the Angels first-round pick in 2022, made his major league debut less than a year after he was drafted out of Campbell University. Schanuel was even quicker to the majors. The light-hitting first baseman, the Angels first-round pick in 2023, played only 22 minor league games before reaching Anaheim. He spent less than a month in the minors. The Angels could look to do something similar with Moore given his advanced bat and less-demanding defensive position. The numbers indicate he is ready.
Photo Credit: © Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
