Nicholas
Moten

A winter semester transfer from Arkansas, Moten has a strong physical frame and is a good athlete on the mound. Standing 6-foot-1, 205-pounds, the right-hander was ranked No. 3 in the state of Missouri after his senior year as a prep. Armed with a high induced vertical break 90-96 mph fastball, a tight slider that he commands and uses to put hitters away and a change up.

Moten is a 5-foot-10, 170-pound, right-handed hitting middle infielder and right-handed pitcher in Missouri’s 2021 class. He ran a 4.29 home-to-first and posted an exit velocity of 95 mph. During hitting evaluations, Moten starts with an athletic base, reverse to tap into load, loose hands, controls the barrel, extension through the baseball, high finish with hands. Defensively, Moten shows off his athleticism, fluid footwork, clean transfers, clean arm action, strong arm with a positional velo of 89 mph, accurate throws with carry. On the mound, Moten has a strong and athletic build, easy delivery, high leg kick, directional down the mound, repeats, explosive lower half, downhill tilt, very quick arm, loose arm action, over the top release. Fastball sits 84-86 mph, tops at 87 mph, high percentage of strikes, occasional cut. Changeup is thrown with fastball armspeed at 70-71 mph, curveball is 62-64 mph, late downward action, chance to be a plus pitch.

Moten is a 5-foot-8 155-pound right-handed hitting second baseman and right-handed pitcher in Missouri’s 2021 class.  He ran a 4.47 home to first and has an 86 mph exit velocity.  At the plate, starts slightly open with smooth rhythm in hands, short in line stride, quick and aggressive hand speed allows for accelerated bat whip, swing produced mostly pull side contact with power. On the infield, 83 mph positional velocity, soft hands fielding ball in athletic position, quick transfer, feet create momentum to work after the catch, short arm circle with loose arm action, throws have carry, body will add strength to athletic frame. On the mound, Moten has an over the top arm slot, simple and repeatable staying under control and in line down the mound, throws with regular effort, loose arm action, commands fastball at 77-80 mph, breaking ball at 62-65 mph, 11-to-5 shape, looks to be a good pitch and he continues to develop, change up at 64-66 mph, arm side run, throws with near fastball arm speed, throws for strike.