Saturday, March 01

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Angels have been famously aggressive with promoting their top prospects to the Majors, as the first player to reach the big leagues from the 2021, ’22 and ’23 MLB Drafts all came from the club. 

First it was Chase Silseth, then Zach Neto and finally Nolan Schanuel. And now it could happen yet again, as Christian Moore is on the cusp of reaching the Majors after being the No. 8 overall selection in last year’s Draft. Moore, ranked as the No. 68 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, would’ve been a September callup last year if it weren’t for a minor left knee injury sustained at Double-A Rocket City and is competing for the starting job at second base this spring. 

Less than a year removed from winning the College World Series with the University of Tennessee, the 22-year-old has to pinch himself that he’s in this situation -- but he's been making the most of it. 

“It's a dream come true,” Moore said. “I'm playing with guys that I watched playing in the big leagues on TV growing up. It's fun and I'm trying to soak it all in, but also play well. So it's a little tough.” 

Just like he did with his impressive stint in the Minors last year, which saw him hit .347 with six homers, six doubles and 20 RBIs in 25 games between Single-A and Double-A, Moore has stood out this spring despite his inexperience. He’s batted .429 (3-for-7) in four games while also getting work at both second base and third base to increase his versatility. 

Manager Ron Washington, regarded as the game’s foremost infield guru, has enjoyed working with Moore this spring and gushed about his athleticism. The two previously worked together when Moore was a teenager and participated in the MLB Develops program, and he also received a crash course with Washington’s defensive drills during instructional league after last season. 

“I've been very impressed with his ability to apply when you give him information,” Washington said. “He's a super athlete. And I'm not just talking about baseball. If he was a basketball player, it'd be the same. If he was a football player, it’d be the same. He's just a super athlete, and he knows how to absorb information and he's been applying it. I've been very impressed.” 

Moore, though, had the reputation for making sensational plays in college but also for having occasional fundamental lapses. So Washington said helping clean that up is a priority for him and infield coach Ryan Goins. 

“Those are the things we are certainly zeroing in on,” Washington said. “Under controlled conditions, he's been excellent, and I've told him, ‘We have to see how you do and make decisions when it's real. That's going to determine who you are and what you how quick you can do what your mind wants you to do.” 

Moore’s bat, though, is his calling card, and he doesn’t lack confidence. When the Angels played in a game with the ABS challenge system for the first time on Sunday, he told Washington he never would’ve struck in college with a similar system in place.  

But Moore is also smart enough to defer to his veteran teammates and try to learn as much as he can in his first Spring Training. He knows he’s not far from reaching his goal of getting to the Majors, but he tries not to think about it. 

“I just take it day by day,” Moore said. “I'm trying to really get to learn everybody and get to know everybody. Baseball takes cares of itself. Obviously, it's harder as you get up here, it’s still baseball when you're on that diamond between those white lines. So whatever happens, happens.” 

Moore’s top competition at second base is Luis Rengifo and the Angels also have utilityman Kevin Newman and Scott Kingery as options. But Moore could force the club’s hand with a strong spring and general manager Perry Minasian is open to Moore playing his way onto the roster. 

“I wouldn't rule anything out,” Minasian said. “We're taking the best team. We really like our system and the young players we have. If somebody's going to make us better on the field, we’re not going to hesitate to give them the opportunity to do that.” 

Shortstop Zach Neto is ahead of schedule in his recovery from right shoulder surgery in November but won’t be ready for Opening Day against the White Sox on March 27, Washington said Thursday. Neto hit on the field on Wednesday and has been fielding grounders at short and playing catch from 60 feet, but he has yet to progress to throwing across the diamond or facing live pitching. 

“I don't think he's gonna make Opening Day,” Washington said. “It may be soon after, but I don't think it's gonna be Opening Day. And when I say soon after, that could be a week after, that could be two weeks after, it might be a month. But we want him to keep continuing to progress. We're not gonna force it.” 

Who holds the club record for most Opening Day starts at designated hitter? 

A. Albert Pujols 
B. Don Baylor 
C. Chili Davis 
D. Brian Downing 

Opening Day starter Yusei Kikuchi will make his first start of the spring on Friday night against the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch. Kikuchi will be pitching against fellow countryman Shohei Ohtani, who will also be making his spring debut at designated hitter. Kikuchi is making one fewer start than the other starters in camp, by design.  

“Ever since two years ago, I’ve had a plan about just going at my pace, taking things slow,” Kikuchi said through interpreter Yusuke Oshima. “Just because if I throw too much and I ramp up too quickly, it's not good my shoulder or my elbow. Instead of throwing every four days or five days, I feel like going every six days. I think that's better for my build up.” 

B. Baylor, who did it six times from 1977-82. 

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