Seattle nets right-hander Moore at No. 72
SEATTLE -- Oregon State right-hander Andrew Moore, the Mariners' second pick on Day 1 of the Draft on Monday, hopes there are better moments to come in his professional baseball career. But the Eugene, Ore., native already has a memory he won't soon forget.
"Seeing Ken Griffey Jr. up there saying my name, it doesn't get much better than that," Moore said after Griffey announced Seattle's first two selections on MLB Network's coverage of the Draft. "Obviously, it's a dream come true."
The Mariners took the 21-year-old right-hander with the 72nd overall selection, a Competitive Balance Round B pick. They picked Georgia high school right-hander Nick Neidert with their top pick, the 60th selection in the second round, after not having a first-rounder due to the signing of free agent Nelson Cruz.
Moore was a three-year starter at Oregon State and first-team All-Pac-12 selection as a junior this past season when he went 7-2 with a 1.91 ERA in 16 starts. In 10 starts in Pac-12 play he went 6-1 with a 1.51 ERA while averaging 8.0 strikeouts per nine innings.
The 6-foot, 186-pounder pitched as a reliever for Team USA last summer. Scouting director Tom McNamara saw him there, as well as in several college games for Oregon State.
"We saw him against good teams and he did not disappoint," McNamara said. "I talked to the coach for Team USA today and the Oregon State coach and also his mom, who is his adviser, which is kind of unique. We're excited to have Andrew in our organization."
As a 21-year-old college junior, Moore should have a chance to progress quickly.
"Do I think he's a quick mover? I don't want to put any pressure on him, but he can command his fastball and he's got three Major League pitches, so we'll see where it goes," McNamara said.
Moore said the Mariners called shortly before their Competitive Balance pick and then selected him after he said he would accept an $800,000 signing bonus, which is about $50,000 below slot for that position.
Moore said he grew up a Giants fan because his parents are from the Bay Area, but he attended seven or eight games at Safeco Field while growing up, watches games on TV when he can and has visualized pitching there some day if given the chance.
"I've watched a ton of their games, and obviously King Felix is as good at it gets," he said. "It's one of the most beautiful parks in the bigs and Seattle is a great sports city with the Seahawks and Mariners. I'm just anxious to get going."
The Draft continues on Tuesday with Rounds 3-10, with the Mariners having picks in each round, starting with the 19th pick in the third round (94th overall). The MLB.com preview show begins at 9:30 a.m. PT, with exclusive coverage of Rounds 3-10 beginning at 10 a.m.