Getting to Know: Cubs 14th Rounder Grayson Moore |
Any time you get to the later rounds of the MLB draft, it becomes a crapshoot as to whether or not you can sign these guys. More often than not, should draft a college player in the 10th round or later, they are likely to sign as they have no other routes to go to. That could be why the Cubs targeted so many college-level players on day three, as they felt it would give them the best chance to retain those players.
One of the more intriguing Day 3 options came from the Cubs in round 14 when they selected Vanderbilt University RHP Grayson Moore. When you think of successful college programs, especially on the pitching side, Vanderbilt comes to mind as they have been known for developing great pitchers. Moore may not be one of the greats that came out of that school, but he is certainly worth following, given the track record that Vanderbilt pitchers have had. The 6-3 215 pounds Florida native has excellent size for an RHP, and some feel he still has room to fill out his body to become bigger and stronger. When you look at Moore and his track record, you immediately see the drastic improvement from his sophomore season to his junior season, which is what the Cubs are banking their selection on. As a sophomore, Moore posted a 5.06 ERA and struggled with his command throughout the season. Fast forward to the 2023 campaign, which was his junior year, and you could see a massive improvement from him across the board. Despite pitching just 27 innings, Moore posted an ERA of 3.08, nearly two runs lower than the previous season. His command also greatly improved as he walked 10 compared to 36 strikeouts. This is a unique selection when it comes to pitchers, as Moore was a reliever in college and should continue to hold down that role at the professional level. However, he did make a few middle-of-the-week starts on rare occasions, including one against Tennessee Tech, where he tossed 6 2/3 innings and allowed two runs. There isn't one specific area where you could point to and say this is why he has improved. Instead, even his head coach Tim Corbin has said that Moore was one of the most improved pitchers on the staff last season. When Moore steps onto the mound, he is as focussed as one could be and is all business all the time. Granted, most people will say they would instead go starter than a reliever, but you can never go wrong with a Vanderbilt product, no matter where they pitch. Considering his usage as a reliever, keep that the same in the near future, as the Cubs will try and maximize his fastball. Currently, Moore sits in the 93-94 MPH range with that heater, but some feel he could reach the upper 90s if he stays in the relief role. Like all relievers, you need a good secondary pitch to compliment that heater, and Moore has a 12-6 curve that he can keep the hitters off balance with. That curve is what I want to focus on a lot in the coming months, as it acted like an Ephus pitch at times. Considering the amount of work the Cubs organization puts in with their pitching lab, this is a pitch they can't wait to see more of in an up close and confined environment. In an era where you can never have too many relief options, drafting a relief first type of guy is the way to go. This way, it allows you to keep him in a role many are unfamiliar with, and he should have no issues getting the job done.
