Angels' Christian Moore Focuses on Refining His Swing After a Rookie Season
TEMPE, ARIZONA — Last spring, Christian Moore, fresh off his first professional spring training, exuded confidence. But now, as he prepares for his second season, he's embracing a different mindset.
"Last year, I felt like I was training for it," Moore said. "But now, with 50 games under my belt, I truly understand the challenges I face daily. The competition is fierce, and my mindset and physical state need to match that. It was a valuable experience, and I'm taking it into the offseason."
At 23 years old, Moore is a strong contender for the everyday second baseman role. However, he's not guaranteed the position, as veterans like Adam Frazier, Chris Taylor, and Nick Madrigal, as well as young talent Kyren Paris, are also in the running. The Angels are also experimenting with Moore at third base, recognizing the potential benefits when Yoán Moncada, their oft-injured third baseman, is out.
Moore, the eighth pick in the 2024 draft, has the potential to excel. However, he needs to address some rough spots that emerged during his 53-game rookie season in 2025. His statistics were underwhelming, with a .198 batting average, a .655 OPS, seven home runs, and a 34% strikeout rate (compared to the major league average of 22%).
One of Moore's key focuses during the winter was shortening his swing. He acknowledged, "Last year, I sometimes got too big in my approach. I was trying to hit the ball hard, but these pitchers throw the ball hard. If I can just put the barrel on the ball, I can be effective. I'm not aiming to hit home runs, but I can put a good swing on the ball. I'm working on shortening my swing to see the results."
Manager Kurt Suzuki offered a practical perspective, emphasizing the importance of experience. "It's about being in big situations," he said. "We see the talent in Christian. It's just a matter of getting the reps. He's putting in the hard work every day."
Suzuki refused to set a timeline for Moore's development, understanding that players progress at their own pace. "Players develop at their own pace," Suzuki noted. "With Christian's talent, we'll see how he performs this camp and what he accomplishes."
While Angels fans await Moore's transformation, an opposing manager, Tony Vitello, who coached Moore at the University of Tennessee, has a clear vision. "I believe Christian can become a game-changer in the lineup," Vitello said. "He's a strategic player who can adapt and think his way through at-bats. When he's in the cage, he's not just swinging for the fences or feeling good; he's formulating a game plan for success."
Vitello drew on Moore's college career, noting his ability to adjust and learn from his experiences. "It's beneficial for him to get his feet wet in professional ball," Vitello explained. "College ball is a sprint, while pro ball is a marathon. Christian was a joy to watch develop, and we couldn't have won the national championship without him."
NOTES
Suzuki provided updates on two right-handed pitchers, Ben Joyce and Robert Stephenson, who are both recovering from injuries. They need to continue throwing in the bullpen before facing hitters. Suzuki expressed optimism about their progress, noting their eagerness to return. Caden Dana, a right-handed pitcher, has been limited by an illness during the first two weeks of spring training, restricting his workouts to light activities like playing catch.
