The Los Angeles Angels selected Tennessee second baseman Christian Moore with the eighth pick in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft on Sunday night. Going a pick ahead of Chase Dollander last season, Moore is the highest drafted Vol of Tony Vitello’s tenure and the highest drafted Vol since Nick Senzel in 2016.
Moore turned in the best single season at the plate in Tennessee history in his junior season. Hitting in the leadoff spot, Moore helped lead Tennessee to its first ever National Championship by hitting .375 with 34 home runs, 55 extra-base hits and 74 RBIs.
Tennessee’s previous single season home run record was 24 and Moore way out paced it in his junior season. Moore’s 61 home runs over the course of his three-year college career make him the Vols’ career home run record holder.
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A Brooklyn, New York native, Moore delivered on the biggest stages. He hit three home runs in Tennessee’s series rubber match victory over No. 5 Kentucky in Lexington and most notable hit for the cycle— plus a double— in the Vols’ come from behind College World Series opening victory over Florida State.
Moore if the fifth Tennessee first round selection of the Tony Vitello era, joining Crochet, Drew Gilbert, Jordan Beck and Chase Dollander.
In the Angels franchise, Moore joins former Tennessee teammates Ben Joyce and Zach Joyce. Ben is on the big league team while Zach is currently on their High-A team.
Moore is the first Tennessee baseball player off the board in what’s expected to be a busy MLB Draft for Tony Vitello and the Vols. Stay tuned to RockyTopInsider.com over the next three days for complete coverage of the Vols’ in the 2024 MLB Draft.
