NEW YORK — There wouldn’t be so much speculation about Christian Moore if not for Nolan Schanuel.
If Schanuel hadn’t rocketed from the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft to the Angels’ lineup in about six weeks, it would seem ludicrous to suggest that Moore, the Angels’ first-round pick this year, should be a major leaguer already.
It’s an idea that has occurred to Schanuel too.
Schanuel, who knows Moore from playing with him in the Cape Cod League in 2022, said he texted Moore immediately after they selected him with the eighth pick in last month’s draft.
“The way we operate,” Schanuel told him, “if you perform you’ll be up here soon.”
What Schanuel has seen so far has done nothing to change his mind.
“I know that he’s a hard worker, a gritty baseball player,” Schanuel said on Thursday. “He has the tools to be where I’m at and where everybody is in this locker room.”
Moore, a second baseman, has opened eyes by going 12 for 24 with four home runs in his first professional games, two at Class-A and three at Double-A. On Wednesday night, he had two homers among his four hits, including a walk-off blast.
When Angels manager Ron Washington was asked before their game against the Yankees in New York if Moore could be in the big leagues soon, he said: “I wouldn’t be surprised, but that’s a call for (General Manager) Perry (Minasian).”
Minasian has shown no reluctance to bringing players up quickly. Zach Neto, their 2022 first-round pick, was the Angels’ everyday shortstop after just 48 games in the minors. Schanuel played 19 minor league games before he got the call last year.
Right-hander Chase Silseth, an 11th-round pick in 2021, reached the majors in 2022 after pitching just 31⅓ innings in the minors.
Although other teams haven’t moved quite as quickly as the Angels, a few other players have moved rapidly. Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes, Texas Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford and Oakland A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson all were in the majors less than 12 months after being selected in the first round of the 2023 draft.
“It looks like to me that we are allowing the colleges to develop our players,” Washington said. “A lot of these players are pretty good players. They’re not finished players, but they are pretty good players. And even though they’re not finished players, they’re getting an opportunity.”
Washington said he’s come to grips with the idea that the modern game brings players up much quicker than they did in his day, and he’s at peace with it.
“If they bring them here, all we can do is touch them and try to get them better,” Washington said. “I don’t lose sleep over it.”
As for Moore, one of the significant dates to watch is Aug.16, because that’s the first day they could call up Moore without him getting the 45 days of service time that would cost him his rookie eligibility in 2025. Even if he did get fewer than 45 days, he would lose his rookie status if he exceeded 130 at-bats (not plate appearances).
That’s relevant because the collective bargaining agreement includes mechanisms that allow for teams to gain an extra draft pick if a top prospect is on the Opening Day roster and finishes in the top two for the Rookie of the Year award.
STEFANIC’S START
Michael Stefanic had eight hits in his first 15 at-bats after returning to the major leagues last week. Stefanic hit .194 during a 10-game big-league stint in June.
Washington said Stefanic’s at-bats have been “tremendous,” but he was more impressed with his defense. Washington said infield coach Ryan Goins has helped make Stefanic better.
“I was always told he could swing the bat, make contact and do things like that, but the most impressive thing is what Ryan has done with him,” Washington said. “He’s got him playing a very solid defense now.”
NOTES
The Angels are still undecided on their starter for Sunday, the finale of the trip in Washington. None of their major league starters would be available to pitch on normal rest because of Tuesday’s rainout. …
The Angels are scheduled to face at least four consecutive lefties, including Thursday’s game. With Taylor Ward out on paternity leave on Thursday, that meant that Mickey Moniak got a rare start against a lefty. (Moniak has a .151 batting average in 110 career plate appearances against lefties.) Even after Ward returns on Friday, Moniak could get another opportunity against a lefty this weekend if Washington wants to give a day off to 35-year-old Kevin Pillar. Pillar played both games of Wednesday’s doubleheader and he was also in the lineup on Thursday.
UP NEXT
Angels (RHP José Soriano, 6-7, 3.47 ERA) at Nationals (LHP Mitchell Parker, 6-6, 4.06 ERA), Friday, 3:45 p.m. PT, Bally Sports West, 830 AM
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