Angels' Christian Moore: Beginning season at Double-A
Rotowire
Moore has been assigned to Double-A Rocket City to begin the season, MLB.com reports.
Moore had an opportunity early on in Angels camp to win the starting second-base job, but he struggled in Cactus League play, collecting a .616 OPS and 32.7 percent strikeout rate. The top prospect also struck out at nearly a 30 percent rate in his 23 games with Rocket City last season, so he still has work to do in the minors even while he was productive in 2024 with a .984 OPS over two levels. The Angels don't have many roadblocks at second base and are typically aggressive in promoting their prospects, so Moore still has a good chance to make an impact at the big-league level in 2025 if he can get off to a nice start at Rocket City.
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Angels' Christian Moore: Chance to start Opening Day
Rotowire
Moore might be the Opening Day second baseman for the Angels if Luis Rengifo (hamstring) isn't ready, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Moore put up a .911 OPS with five home runs across 98 plate appearances in 23 games for Double-A Rocket City in 2024. The 22-year-old has not flashed his power during his first spring training as he tries to earn a bench spot with the Angels, but he is slashing .281/.395/.344. The eighth overall pick of the 2024 draft has been seeing game action at second base in camp while also seeing work at third on the side. The young prospect has a chance to make the jump from Double-A Rocket City to Opening Day starter for the Angels with manager Ron Washington being unsure whether Rengifo will be ready in time, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
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Angels' Christian Moore: Will play some 3B this spring
Rotowire
Moore will get looks at both second base and third base during spring training, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Moore was already expected to compete for an Opening Day roster spot as a second baseman, but he could increase his chances of breaking camp with the big club if he can prove himself capable of handling the hot corner. Though the Angels signed Yoan Moncada on Feb. 6 to fill a need at third base in the wake of Anthony Rendon's potentially season-ending hip surgery, the team hasn't yet committed to a specific starter either there or at second base. Luis Rengifo is also a candidate to start at either position, and Tim Anderson has spent some time at the keystone this spring as well.
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Angels' Christian Moore: Returns for Double-A finale
Rotowire
Moore (knee) returned to the lineup for Double-A Rocket City's 8-0 win over Chattanooga on Saturday, serving as the designated hitter while going 3-for-4 with a double, a walk, four RBI and two runs.
Moore had been sidelined for just over two weeks with a left meniscus injury before joining the Rocket City lineup for what proved to be the club's season finale, as Sunday's game versus Chattanooga was cancelled due to inclement weather. The No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Moore shined between stops at Rocket City and Single-A Inland Empire following his selection, slashing a combined .347/.400/.584 with six home runs and 20 RBI.
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Angels' Christian Moore: No news yet on injury
Rotowire
The Angels are still "gathering information" on the leg injury Moore suffered during a Double-A game Friday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Moore departed Friday's Double-A contest in visible pain and hasn't played since. The organization hasn't shared details on the injury or its severity and has yet to come to a "verdict" on the issue, per Fletcher. Since moving to the Double-A level in early August, Moore has slashed .302/.355/.512 with five home runs, 10 RBI, 16 runs and two stolen bases.
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Angels' Christian Moore: Exits minor-league game with injury
Rotowire
Moore (undisclosed) was pulled from a Double-A game Friday due to an undisclosed injury, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
Blum notes that Moore was "in some visible pain" when he departed Friday's contest, and the Angels' top prospect isn't in Rocket City's lineup Saturday. The Angels didn't provide an update on Moore's status when asked Saturday, so it's not yet clear what type of issue he is dealing with or how severe it may be. Moore had been swinging the bat well prior to getting hurt, slashing .294/.348/.506 with five home runs, 10 RBI, 16 runs and two stolen bases over 21 games at the Double-A level.
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Angels' Christian Moore: Promoted to Double-A
Rotowire
Moore has been promoted from Single-A Inland Empire to Double-A Rocket City, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
The No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Moore played just two games with Inland Empire before receiving a promotion, going 6-for-11 with one homer. The Angels have a recent history of being aggressive with their top draft picks, and Blum writes of Moore that he "wouldn't be shocked if he's in the big leagues quite soon." There would seem to be a possibility that the 21-year-old could get a cup of coffee in the majors later this season.
