Los Angeles Angels' Christian Moore Could Make Opening Day Roster as Third Baseman

Second baseman Christian Moore, who the Los Angeles Angels took in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft, has started getting reps at third base in spring training.

Ft. Worth, TX, USA; Christian Moore is congratulated by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred after being selected by the Los Angeles Angels as the eight player taken during the first round of the MLB Draft at Cowtown Coliseum. | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Angels have made a habit of fast-tracking their top picks to the big leagues, and that trend could continue in 2025.

Christian Moore went No. 8 overall to the Angels in the 2024 MLB Draft, earning a promotion to Double-A less than a month later. If it weren't for a meniscus injury he suffered in late August, Moore could have been called all the way up to the majors last September.

The 22-year-old second baseman ultimately earned a non-roster invite to Los Angeles' big league training camp this spring.

According to the Orange County Register's Jeff Fletcher, Moore has started taking reps at third base with Anthony Rendon out recovering from hip surgery and Yoán Moncada dealing with general soreness of his own. Those injuries may have opened the door for Moore to get a serious look as Los Angeles' starting third baseman, considering the praise he received from manager Ron Washington.

"He plays third base pretty good," Washington said, per Fletcher. "It’s wide open. It’s freelancing at third base. Second base, he’s got to make decisions. That’s what I want to see at second base, the type of decisions he makes. Third base, you do or don’t, you will or you won’t."

MLB Pipeline senior writer Jonathan Mayo set the odds of Moore making the Angels' Opening Day roster at 75% on Thursday's episode of the "MLB Pipeline" podcast.

“Given what (the Angels) tend to do and given how good Christian Moore can be, I think he’s got a really, really good chance to make this team," Mayo said.

Mayo's co-host, Jim Callis, took the under on Mayo's 75% mark.

The Angels drafted shortstop Zach Neto in 2022 and had him on their major league roster by April 2023. First baseman Nolan Schanuel was their first round pick in 2023, and he made his MLB debut that August.

Moore could very well follow in their footsteps, especially if he proves himself capable in the hot corner. After all, veteran infielder Luis Rengifo – who underwent wrist surgery last August – is back to full strength and has a strong grip on the starting second baseman job for the time being.

Across three seasons and 186 games at Tennessee, Moore hit .338 with 61 home runs, 35 doubles, 160 RBIs, 22 stolen bases and an 1.144 OPS. Through just 25 minor league appearances, Moore is already a .347 hitter with six home runs, six doubles, 20 RBIs, two stolen bases and a .984 OPS as a pro.

MLB Pipeline has Moore ranked as the No. 68 prospect in all of baseball, higher than any other player in the Angels' organization.

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