Christian Moore promoted by Los Angeles Angels after making his debut

Former Tennessee baseball star Christian Moore was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft. He was the only Vol drafted in the first round this year and the first Tennessee player since Nick Senzel in 2019. 

Moore finished his senior season hitting .375 with 34 home runs, 74 RBIs, and 19 doubles. His 34 home runs were good enough to set Tennessee's program record for career home runs. 

He struggled defensively at times but will have the opportunity to clean up any issues with the Angels organization. If Moore can make it to the Majors, Angels head coach Ron Washington specializes in developing middle infielders' defensive skills. 

Moore began his professional baseball career in Single-A with the Angels' Inland Empire 66ers. He only spent two games out west before getting the call to Double-A, which is one step closer to the MLB.

Moore hit with a .545 batting average in 11 at-bats, two doubles, and a home run in two games at the Single-A level. Although he only appeared in two games, he raked at the plate. His first professional home run was projected to go 438 ft. 

The eighth overall pick will soon debut with the Rocket City Trash Pandas in Huntsville, Alabama, a much more reasonable drive for some Tennessee fans to see one of the best Tennessee baseball players in my lifetime. 

Moore's call-up isn't common this early into his pro career. He only spent two games in Single-A, and seven of the top-ten draft picks in this year's class haven't even made their debut. Moore is already working his way up the minor league ranks. 

Moore will likely join the Trash Pandas for a couple of series in Tennessee. Rocket City will take a couple of trips to Chattanooga before the end of the season for a series against the Lookouts from August 13-18 and September 10-15.