The Los Angeles Angels announced Tuesday that they have promoted Christian Moore from Triple‑A to fill the roster spot left vacant by Mike Trout, who was placed on the injured list with a hamstring strain.
Moore’s Triple‑A surge
At Salt Lake Bees, Moore has been nothing short of spectacular this season, batting .333 with nine home runs and 45 runs batted in across 45 games. His on‑base percentage sits above .400, and his slugging percentage exceeds .600, underscoring a power surge that has turned heads across the organization.
Moore’s first taste of the majors came in 2025, when he appeared in 53 games and posted a .198 average. Though the sample was small, the experience proved valuable, and the Angels believe the extra seasoning will translate into more consistent production this time around.
A four‑game showdown in Sacramento
The Angels are slated to open a four‑game series against the Oakland A’s in Sacramento on Thursday at 9:40 p.m. ET. The matchup will be the first leg of a road stretch that could see the club jockey for positioning in the American League West.
The series also serves as a showcase for a broader trend: a wave of former University of Tennessee players making their way to the big leagues. In addition to Moore, right‑hander Chad Dallas earned a call‑up from the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this season, debuting in a relief appearance that left scouts impressed.
Four other Volunteers alumni — Chase Dollander, Blade Tidwell, Drew Gilbert and outfielder Jordan Beck — have all broken into the majors in 2025, joining a distinguished list that includes Trey Lipscomb, Seth Halvorsen, Ben Joyce and Andre Lipcius from the previous year. Even pitcher Garrett Crochet, a 2020 first‑round pick, made his debut with the Chicago White Sox that same draft year.
The influx of Tennessee talent reflects a growing pipeline that the Angels hope will continue to enrich their roster, especially as they navigate injuries to key veterans like Trout. For now, all eyes will be on Moore as he looks to convert his Triple‑A success into a sustained contribution at the highest level.