Matt Moore (baseball)

Matthew Cody Moore (born June 18, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, and Detroit Tigers and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. Moore was an All-Star in 2013.

Matt Moore
Moore with the Detroit Tigers in 2019
Philadelphia Phillies – No. 51
Pitcher
Born: (1989-06-18) June 18, 1989
Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Bats: Left Throws: Left
Professional debut
MLB: September 14, 2011, for the Tampa Bay Rays
NPB: June 23, 2020, for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
MLB statistics
(through 2019 season)
Win–loss record54–56
Earned run average4.51
Strikeouts806
Teams
Career highlights and awards
MLB

NPB

Early life

Moore was born on June 18, 1989, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. At the age of 7, he and his family moved to Okinawa, Japan to live on Kadena Air Base, where his father, Marty, was stationed.[1] Moore and his family then moved to Edgewood, New Mexico, after living on Kadena Air Base for four years.[2] There, he attended Moriarty High School and in 2007, he was named Gatorade's New Mexico Player of the Year.[3] Moore was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the eighth round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft.[4] He had previously committed to play college baseball for the University of New Mexico where his older brother, Bobby, also pitched.[5]

Professional career

Minor Leagues

Moore was with the Rookie League Princeton Rays for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. In 2007, he posted a 2.66 ERA in 20.1 innings. In 2008, he had a 2–2 record and a 1.66 ERA in 54.1 innings. He struck-out 106 batters over both seasons.[6] He was named the Baseball America Rookie All-Star at the conclusion of the 2008 season.[7]

In 2009, Moore was with the Class A Bowling Green Hot Rods. There, he had an 8–5 record, 3.15 ERA, and struck-out 176 batters in 123 innings pitched. He was also named the South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week, for the week of June 8.[8]

In 2010, Moore pitched for the Class A Advanced Charlotte Stone Crabs. He had a 6–11 record and a 3.36 ERA in 144.2 innings. He also struck-out a league-leading 208 batters. He was named Florida State League Pitcher of the Week four times in 2010 and was also named FSL Post-Season All-Star. At the conclusion of the season, he was named the Baseball America Minor League All-Star. In the off-season, Moore was named the Topps Class A All-Star and the MILB.com Organization All-Star.[9]

For the first part of the 2011 season, Moore pitched with the Double A Montgomery Biscuits. There, he posted a 2.20 ERA, with an 8–3 record, and 131 strikeouts. During his time with Montgomery, he was named the Southern League Pitcher of the Week, for the week of May 31, he was named a SOU Mid-Season All-Star, and at the conclusion of the season, he was named SOU Post-Season All-Star and the SOU Most Outstanding Pitcher.[9] On June 16, 2011, Moore threw the first no-hitter in Montgomery Biscuits history, defeating the Mobile BayBears. Moore struck-out 11 batters and walked two, in the Biscuits' 8–0 victory.[10] Finally, Moore was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game. He pitched for one inning and struck-out the three batters he faced and even reached 100 mph during his performance.[11] In September 2011, he was named the Baseball America Double A All-Star.[4]

In July 2011, Moore was promoted to the Triple A Durham Bulls. He pitched 52.2 innings, recording a 1.37 ERA, 4–0 record, and 79 strikeouts. He was named International League Pitcher of the Week, for the week of August 8.[4] At the conclusion of the season, Moore was named the Baseball America Minor League All-Star, MLB.com Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year, and the MILB.com Organization All-Star.[12]

Tampa Bay Rays
Moore with the Rays in 2011

Moore was called up on September 12, 2011.[13] On September 14, 2011, Moore made his Major League debut against the Baltimore Orioles when he pitched 1 1/3 innings in relief. He gave up a two-run home-run to Matt Wieters and struck out two.[14] On September 22, 2011, Moore made his first start against the New York Yankees. He struck out 11 batters, gave up four hits, and walked one in five scoreless innings.[15] Moore made his second start in Game 1 of the 2011 American League Division Series against the Texas Rangers. Moore gave up just two hits in seven innings, striking out seven.[16] He finished the 2011 season with a 1–0 record, 2.89 ERA, and 15 strikeouts in 9.1 innings for the Rays.[17] On December 9, 2011, Moore and the Rays agreed to a five-year, $14 million contract with club options that could extend the contract to eight years and $39.75 million, and could also buy out Moore's free agency for two years.[18]

Moore with the Rays in 2012

In 2012, Moore pitched 177.1 innings, recording an 11–11 record, 3.81 ERA, 158 hits, 75 earned runs, giving up 18 home-runs, walking 81, and striking out 175 batters.[19] On June 15, 2012, Moore and two other relievers combined for one-hit shutout against the Miami Marlins, in which the Rays went on to win 11–0.[20]

In 2013, Moore recorded a 3.29 ERA, with a record of 17–4.[19] He was the first Major League pitcher to get eight wins and became the first left-handed pitcher under the age of 23 to begin the season with eight wins, the previous lefty was Babe Ruth who started his 1917 season with eight wins at the age of 22.[21] Moore was also named to the 2013 MLB All-Star Game to replace the injured Yu Darvish on the American League roster.[22] Moore finished the 2013 season having given up 119 hits, 55 earned runs, walking 76, and striking out 143 in 150.1 innings of work.[19]

In April 2014, Moore tore a ligament in his left elbow, which required Tommy John surgery, and forced him out for the 2014 season.[23]

Moore began the 2015 season on the 60-day disabled list to continue recovery from Tommy John surgery and was projected to return possibly by June. He made his first start in over 450 days on July 2 against the Houston Astros, giving up 4 runs in four and two thirds innings. He fell into a losing streak before being sent to the Triple A Durham Bulls on August 11. On September 12, 2015, Moore allowed David Ortiz's 500th career home run. Moore finished the 2015 season 3–4 with a 5.68 ERA. After a slow start to the season, Moore turned it around in the months of June and July, lowering his ERA to 4.08 in 21 starts.

San Francisco Giants
Moore pitching for the San Francisco Giants in 2016

On August 1, 2016, the Rays traded Moore to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Matt Duffy, Michael Santos, and Lucius Fox.[24][25] He made his Giants debut on August 4, 2016 against the Philadelphia Phillies. He went six innings giving up three hits and two earned runs and was credited with a no-decision. The Giants won the game in extra innings off a go-ahead home run by Denard Span in the 10th inning.

On August 25, Moore took a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers, which was broken up by a single into right field by Corey Seager with two outs. After throwing a career-high 133 pitches, Moore was promptly taken out and replaced by Santiago Casilla. The Giants went on to win the game 4–0 after Casilla got Justin Turner to pop out.[26]

Moore pitched game 4 of the National League Division Series against the Cubs. In a brilliant pitching performance, he pitched 8 solid innings giving up only 2 runs (1 earned) and 2 hits while striking out 10 batters. Unfortunately the Giants bullpen couldn't hold the lead in the 9th and the Giants lost the game to the Cubs.[27]

In 2017, Moore struggled to a 6–15 record with the Giants. He had a major league high 5.52 ERA while tying for the National League in losses (15).[28]

Texas Rangers

On December 15, 2017, the Giants traded Moore to the Texas Rangers for Sam Wolff and Israel Cruz.[29] Moore began the 2018 season in the starting rotation for the Rangers but was assigned to the bullpen in June after continuing his pitching struggles into 2018.[30]

Detroit Tigers

On December 4, 2018, Moore signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Detroit Tigers.[31] In his second start of the season on April 6, he suffered a knee injury while fielding a bunt, and was placed on the 10-day injured list the next day.[32] While the Tigers initially expected Moore to miss four to six weeks, it was announced on April 17 that he would miss the remainder of the 2019 season after undergoing full meniscal repair surgery on his right knee.[33][34] Moore became a free agent following the 2019 season.

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

On December 26, 2019, Moore signed with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[35]

On June 23, 2020, Moore made his NPB debut.[36] On August 29, 2020, he earned his first NPB win.[37] On November 24, 2020 in Game 3 of the 2020 Japan Series, Moore pitched seven no-hit innings with five strikeouts.[38] He ended the season with a 2.65 ERA. On December 2, 2020, he became a free agent.[39]

Philadelphia Phillies

On February 3rd, 2021, Moore signed a 1-year, $3MM deal with the Phillies.[40]

Pitching style

Moore throws four pitches: a four-seam fastball at 92–95 mph, a changeup at 83–86, a knuckle curveball at 79–83 mph, and an occasional two-seam fastball. The changeup is used mostly against right-handed hitters, and his curveball is used most often in 2-strike counts.[41]

Personal life

Moore's father, Marty, spent 23 years in the US Air Force. He worked for the Air Force Special Operations Command as a crew chief and maintainer of the MH-53 Pave Lows.[42] Moore has an older brother, Bobby, who was also a left-handed pitcher.[43]

Moore is Catholic and has a tattoo of Saint Michael, the patron saint of battle, on his left shoulder. St. Michael was Moore's sponsor saint when he received the sacrament of Confirmation and Moore believes it is a symbol of both baseball and life being a battle.[44]

References
  1. Kepner, Tyler. "Lengthy Deal, Shrinking E.R.A." New York Times. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  2. Kepner, Tyler. "Lengthy Deal, Shrinking E.R.A." New York Times. Archived from the original on April 16, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  3. Staff, Perfect Game. "Gatorade Players of the Year Released". Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  4. "Matt Moore Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights | Charlotte Stone Crabs". Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  5. Sickenger, Ken (August 6, 2011). "Moore Is Minor Phenomenon". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  6. "Baseball America: Matt Moore, lhp, Rays". Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  7. "2008 Classification All-Stars". Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  8. "Matt Moore Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights | Bowling Green Hot Rods". Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  9. "Matt Moore Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights | Charlotte Stone Crabs". Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  10. Pentis, Andrew. "Montgomery's Moore no-hits Mobile: Rays prospect fans 11, faces two over minimum in 8–0 win". Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  11. Langosch, Jenifer. "Prospect Moore hits 100 mph in Futures Game: Rays Infielders Beckham, Lee join flamethrower at Chase Field". Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  12. "Matt Moore Stats, Bio, Photos, and Highlights | Durham Bulls". Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  13. "Tampa Bay Rays call up top pitching prospect Matt Moore – ESPN". Espn.go.com. January 1, 2008. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  14. Seidel, Jeff. "Moore displays good stuff in his Rays debut". Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  15. Silva, Drew. "Matt Moore dominates Yankees in first MLB start". Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  16. "ALDS Game 1: Matt Moore Brilliant, Kelly Shoppach Surprising In 9–0 Rays Win". Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  17. "Matt Moore". Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  18. Crasnick, Jerry. "Matt Moore, Rays agree to deal". Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  19. "Matt Moore Stats". Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  20. "Matt Moore Fantasy". FantasySP. April 3, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  21. Rowland, Brad. "Matt Moore Becomes First MLB Pitcher to 8 Wins; Leads Rays to 3–1 Victory". Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  22. Chastain, Bill. "Moore selected to replace Darvish on All-Star roster: Rays lefty named to American League squad for upcoming Midsummer Classic". Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  23. Topkin, Marc (April 14, 2014). "Rays' Matt Moore to have surgery, out for season". tampabay.com. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  24. "Giants get starting pitcher Matt Moore, give up Matt Duffy in trade with Rays". Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  25. Kruth, Cash. "Giants land Moore from TB for Duffy, others". MLB.com. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  26. "Moore's near no-no leads Giants over Dodgers". mlb.com. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  27. Wise, Justin (October 12, 2016). "Matt Moore pitches 8 strong innings vs. Cubs". MLB.com. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  28. https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2017-pitching-leaders.shtml
  29. Haft, Chris (December 15, 2017). "Giants deal Moore to Rangers for Minors arms". MLB.com. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  30. https://www.star-telegram.com/latest-news/article213139994.html
  31. Beck, Jason (December 4, 2018). "Matt Moore, Tigers agree to 1-year deal". MLB.com. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  32. Beck, Jason (April 7, 2019). "Tigers make adjustments in Moore's absence". MLB.com. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  33. McCosky, Chris (April 17, 2019). "Tigers' Matt Moore will miss the rest of season after knee surgery". The Detroit News. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  34. Fenech, Anthony (April 17, 2019). "Detroit Tigers: Matt Moore's 2019 season is done after right knee surgery". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  35. "マット・ムーア選手入団のお知らせ". 福岡ソフトバンクホークス 公式サイト (in Japanese). December 26, 2019. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  36. "ソフトバンク ムーア来日初登板で満塁弾被弾". 東スポWeb (in Japanese). June 23, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  37. "ムーアが来日初勝利「家族３人で福岡を楽しみたい」". 日刊スポーツ (in Japanese). August 29, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  38. Coskrey, Jason (November 24, 2020). "Hawks take no-hitter into ninth in Game 3 to move within win of Japan Series title". The Japan Times. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  39. "2020年度 自由契約選手". NPB.jp 日本野球機構 (in Japanese). Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  40. {{Cite news|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/matt-moore-deal-with-phillies%7Ctitle=Matt Moore returns from Japan to join Phils|date=January 29, 2021|accessdate=February 3, 2021
  41. Topkin, Marc. "Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool – Player Card: Matthew Moore". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  42. Haynes, Mareshah. "Different Uniform: The son of an Airman applies Air Force core values to Major League Baseball career". Archived from the original on April 16, 2014. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  43. Darin, Nicole. "Brothers Bobby and Matt Moore bond over the art of pitching". Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  44. Topkin, Marc. "Rays Tales: More on Moore". Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
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