NEW YORK -- It was quite the homecoming for top prospect and Brooklyn native Christian Moore.
Moore, ranked as the Angels’ No. 1 prospect and No. 55 overall by MLB Pipeline, had more than 40 family members and friends at each of the club’s four games at Yankee Stadium. And he came through with his first career hit on Monday, scored the game’s lone run and made a strong throw home in the 11th inning to get Paul Goldschmidt at the plate. Moore also had a pinch-hit single in Wednesday's win to clinch the series victory, and he went 1-for-3 in Thursday's 7-3 loss as the Angels couldn't quite complete the four-game sweep.
Moore, who grew up a Yankees fan, called it a dream come true to get the chance to play in New York in front of his loved ones. The 22-year-old had never been to the ballpark because his father, Charles, was a Mets fan who wouldn’t let him go to Yankee Stadium, but he said he grew up dreaming of playing under the bright lights in the Bronx.
“I always imagined one day that I’d be on that field,” Moore said. “But when you’re standing out there it’s completely different. Little C-Mo is definitely happy. And I’m definitely happy right now. I’m definitely making that little kid’s dream come true, so it’s awesome.”
Moore, who was called up on June 13 from Triple-A Salt Lake, said he’s starting to feel more comfortable after his first week in the Majors. He credited his teammates and coaches for making him feel welcome and is learning to find a consistent routine that works for him.
“It's been awesome,” Moore said. “It's starting to become a little more normal. I know that sounds weird to say, but it is. I'm starting to get my routine going on and off the field. I'm knowing what I got to do, and just being out there, being in the bright lights, definitely feels a little better.”
Angels manager Ron Washington has taken Moore under his wing but told him not to take any criticism personally. He knows that Moore will make inevitable rookie mistakes but just wants him to learn from them. But Washington has been impressed by Moore’s ability to learn and apply things early in his career.
“He's the kind of kid that needs challenges,” Washington said. “The kid is a baseball player. He's gonna have some rough times here now and then, but I think the more he's around these guys, the more he begins to fit in. And we’re putting the pedal to the metal on his learning. We're teaching him quick. I told him, ‘Sorry, we're gonna be on you, man.’ But it's love.”
Moore, the No. 8 overall pick in last year’s MLB Draft out of the University of Tennessee, has embraced Washington and his knowledge for the game, especially as an infielder. Moore started learning Washington’s infield drills in the offseason and has been implementing them every day since Spring Training, as the Angels utilize Washington’s drills at every level in the Minor Leagues as well.
“It's great,” Moore said. “It’s what I do every single day. It's built into my routine. I take a lot of pride in it. You don't want to mess up anything you do in your routine work. It's kind of your time to kind of perfect your craft. And I know that was something that I needed to work on coming into this season. So, I’m just continuing to work on just being a better second baseman and being a leader out there.”
Moore’s calling card is his bat, however, and he’s still working to get going offensively. He started his career by going 0-for-8 until his triple on Monday and said the key is getting to know the pitchers better.
“I think you have to have a plan and understand what the pitcher is trying to do to you,” Moore said. “Try to eliminate pitches. A lot of the starters have a lot of different arsenals they want to go through and a lot of things they can do to you. So it’s understanding what they're trying to do.”
Moore will now get the chance to play in front of Angels fans for the first time, as they return home for a nine-game homestand that begins on Friday against the Astros. But he’s also eyeing the club’s return to New York in mid-July, when the Angels play the Mets at Citi Field.
Moore joked that his dad might be torn attending those games.
“My dad might wear a full-on Mets uniform,” Moore said with a smile. “You might not see any red. But my dad is going to love it.”