Angels promoting top Draft pick Moore to Double-A after 2 MiLB games

The Angels are once again moving their first-round Draft pick swiftly up the ranks in their Minor League system.

The Halos are promoting second baseman Christian Moore to Double-A Rocket City after just two games at Single-A Inland Empire, the Angels and Rocket City announced Friday. Moore, this year's No. 8 overall pick is leaping past High-A Tri-City. Moore also acknowledged a report regarding his promotion on social media.

Angels manager Ron Washington worked with Moore during MLB Develops events when Moore was a teenager and watched videos of him dominate his competition in Single-A.

"We get videos every night and what I saw down at Inland, he was a man among boys," Washington said. "And he should be. He played for a big-time college and played in big-time games. He went down there and played against 17-, 18- and 19-year-olds. And it just looked like he needed another challenge."

Considering the player and the team involved, Moore's quick ascent shouldn't shock anyone. He is viewed as a prospect who could reach the Majors quickly, and in recent years, no franchise has gotten their Draft picks to the Major Leagues faster than the Angels. They had the first player to the big leagues in each Draft from 2021-23.

No one in that trio -- Chase Silseth, Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel -- spent more than a year in the Minors. Neto, Los Angeles' first-rounder in 2022, reached The Show last season after playing in only 44 Minor League games. Then Schanuel, their '23 first-rounder, got called up last August after just 21 MiLB games.

It's not as if Moore is getting pushed undeservedly; he went 6-for-11 with three extra-base hits, five runs and six RBIs during his short time at Single-A. We'll see what he can do with the Trash Pandas, but if he continues swinging a hot bat, this 2024 College World Series champion might be able to call himself a Major Leaguer in practically no time.