Revamped prospect Moore in command for Phils
24-year-old righty impressing Thomson with improved accuracy
LAKELAND, Fla. -- McKinley Moore said he hasn¡¯t noticed that he is the only healthy pitcher in Phillies camp who has not yet pitched in the big leagues.
That¡¯s a good thing.
It means Moore, who is the Phillies¡¯ No. 20 prospect, is impressing. He allowed one hit in a scoreless inning Thursday night in a 10-1 victory over Detroit in a Grapefruit League game at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Moore, 24, has not allowed a run in 5 2/3 innings in six appearances this spring. He has allowed just two hits and struck out seven while walking none.
¡°He¡¯s really been impressive,¡± manager Rob Thomson said. ¡°His strike-throwing ability, big fastball, good slider, really good composure. He looks like a Major Leaguer. It¡¯s funny how you get to these games, guys don¡¯t throw strikes and it¡¯s like an epidemic. But he¡¯s been in games where we¡¯ve had that, [then] he comes in and throws strikes.¡±
Moore joined the Phillies almost exactly a year ago in a trade with the White Sox for outfielder Adam Haseley, whose time had run its course in Philly. Moore, meanwhile, could be a bullpen option at some point, although he will need to be placed on the 40-man roster.
¡°I¡¯m just coming out for my first big league camp and getting a chance to compete with these guys out here,¡± Moore said. ¡°It¡¯s a lot of fun. I don¡¯t think my mindset has changed or anything.¡±
Moore¡¯s thing at the time of the trade was that he threw really hard -- his fastball hit 98.8 mph on Thursday -- and he struck out a lot of batters, but he also walked more than a few. He averaged 12.9 strikeouts per nine innings in 2019, 13.1 in '21 and 12.9 last season. He averaged 6.9 walks per nine in '19, 4.6 in '21 and 4.7 last season.
¡°I really don¡¯t know what¡¯s kind of clicked for me,¡± Moore said. ¡°We¡¯ve done a couple things mechanically that have helped me get in the zone a bit more.¡±
Moore said he has lowered his leg lift this spring. It has made his delivery more compact.
¡°I was kind of erratic last year with a super-high leg lift,¡± he said. ¡°My arm was slinging out. This year, I¡¯m more direct to the plate. That¡¯s allowed me to be more fluid and have a lot more command of my stuff.¡±
And it¡¯s put him even more on the Phillies¡¯ radar.