Angels to call-up top infield prospect Christian Moore for MLB debut: Source
The Los Angeles Angels are calling up their top infield prospect, second baseman Christian Moore, a league source told The Athletic.
Moore was the No. 8 pick in last year's MLB Draft out of the University of Tennessee and was ranked as the Angels' No. 2 prospect by The Athletic's Keith Law. He'll be with the Angels as they travel to Baltimore to begin a seven-game road trip on Friday.
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The call-up, while quick, is actually much later than expected for Moore. He was set to make his debut late last season, but a September knee injury sidelined him and delayed his arrival.
After struggling in spring training, Moore went to Double-A Rocket City, where he did not hit well, posting a .665 OPS in 146 plate appearances. Still, he was promoted to Triple-A Salt Lake, where his offense took off. Moore hit .350 with four homers and 18 RBI in 92 plate appearances in Salt Lake, making the timing of his call-up seemingly imminent in recent days.
He'll provide a boost to an Angels team that's gone 16-9 over its last 25 games, and enters Friday just four games back of first place in the American League West.
The Angels have needed help on the infield amid copious struggles for Luis Rengifo, who has gone 74 consecutive plate appearances without an extra-base hit. Kevin Newman has also performed poorly on offense this season.
In recent years, the Angels have called up their top prospects quicker than any other organization. Pitcher Chase Silseth was the first player from the 2021 MLB Draft to debut in the majors, while shortstop Zach Neto was the first player from the 2022 draft to get the call-up. First baseman Nolan Schanuel played his first game with the Angels just a few weeks after being selected in 2023.
The front office has hoped that Moore will complement Schanuel and Neto as their infield core for many years. Neto's had an excellent start to the season, posting an .820 OPS with 10 home runs and 11 stolen bases. Schanuel's offense has picked up over the last month, and he has a .768 OPS on the season.
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