Robert
Moore

2022 MLB Draft: Despite a rough season statistically (.232/.374/.427), Moore remained passionate and energetic in every part of his game throughout the season. He can really turn on a fastball from either side of the plate with good bat speed and uses his body especially well from the left side. From the right side of the plate it can be a different story as he tends to get "big" and attempts to do too much, instead of staying within himself. Defensively, the second baseman is a pleasure to watch work the middle infield where his fringy arm strength is enhanced by a quick release and his arm plays average. His hands are sure and quick while his strong instincts and internal clock complete his plus defensive capabilities. At 5-foot-9, 175-pounds there isn't much physical projection to his game, but the draft has rewarded similar body type infielders in the past like Nick Madrigal, Kolten Wong and Matt McLain to name a few. If one strictly evaluates Moore's tools (45/50 throw, 55 runner underway/40 down the line, 55/60 defense, 40 RH-hit, 50 LH-hit, 40-power) and career performance to date at the college level he grades out closer to a third round talent. However, his makeup and high baseball IQ give him an inside track to become a Top 75 overall pick. With that stated, there are just too many moving parts to predict if or where Moore will be selected this summer. Similar to Jud Fabian, Moore is an early high school graduate who began his collegiate career mid-year, at the start of the spring semester. Fabian was selected 40th overall last summer, but did not sign. Moore could return to Fayetteville in 2022-23 for his fourth year of college where, like Fabian this season, Moore would be the same age of most college juniors for the 2023 MLB Draft.

Despite a rough season statistically (.229/.379/.414), Moore remains passionate and energetic in every part of his game. In the batter's box he took repeated good passes from the left side. One batted ball in particular, bounced off his bat head with a 96.6 mph EV and a 28 degree launch angle. It was hit to dead right field and into a 20-plus mph wind, but ended as F9 instead of HR. Moore can really turn on a fastball from either side of the plate with good bat speed and uses his body especially well from the left side. From the right side of the plate it can be a different story as he tended to get "big" and attempted to do too much, instead of staying within himself. On Saturday he struggled to make contact against Rebel lefty Hunter Elliott. Empty swings or soft contact was the result. However, to his credit, he made an adjustment on Sunday and stroked a series-best 100.2 mph line drive single to left field as a right handed hitter. Defensively, the second baseman is a pleasure to watch work the middle infield with shortstop Jalen Battles. Moore's fringy arm strength is enhanced by a quick release and his arm plays very close to, if not at average. His hands are sure and quick while his strong instincts and internal clock complete his plus defensive capabilities. At 5-foot-9, 175-pounds there isn't much physical projection to his game, but the draft has rewarded similar body type infielders in the past like Nick Madrigal, Kolten Wong and Matt McLain to name a few. If one strictly evaluates Moore's tools (45/50 throw, 55 runner underway/40 down the line, 55/60 defense, 40 RH-hit, 50 LH-hit, 40-power) and career performance to date at the college level (.272/.389/.499 with 22 HR and 14 SB), he grades out closer to a third round talent rather than a Day One prospect. However, his makeup and high baseball IQ give him an inside track to become a Top 75 overall pick. With that stated, there are just too many moving parts to predict if or where Moore will be selected this summer. Similar to Jud Fabian, Moore is an early high school graduate who began his collegiate career mid-year, at the start of the spring semester. Fabian was selected 40th overall last summer, but did not sign. Moore could return to Fayetteville in 2022-23 for his fourth year of college where, like Fabian this season, Moore would be the same age of most college juniors for the 2023 MLB Draft.

Another “ballplayer” and “student of the game” with professional baseball bloodlines, the switch-hitter was once again fun to watch play the game. On energy and swag alone, I’d pay six figures for him and in many regards he reminds me of Dustin Pedroia. During the only I/O I was able to see (the first two were canceled by the grounds crew due to a wet field), Moore was the only player who went game speed, and not “through the motions”. He swings it much better from the left side where he can really turn on a fastball. He did not show the power with the wood bat (1 XBH in 41 plate appearances) for the CNT as he did this spring for the Razorbacks when he belted 16 home runs. An above average runner, he showed fringe average arm strength with a quick release that allows his arm to play up. The quick release is especially noticeable on the DP pivot. As noted by Kendall Rogers in his USA Baseball Notes from earlier this month, Moore has also been working out at shortstop this summer and is making strides under the tutelage of Troy Tulowitzki. Standing 5-foot-9, 170 pounds Moore has a smaller frame, but the draft has rewarded similar body type infielders in the past like Nick Madrigal, Nick Allen, Kolten Wong and this year with Matt McLain (No. 17 overall to Cincinnati) to name a few. Moore could be the next in line in 2022.