Angels encouraged by development of top prospect Christian Moore

ANAHEIM — Early in his time at Triple-A, Christian Moore has done what the Angels wanted him to do.

Moore, the Angels’ top hitting prospect, had eight hits in his first 13 at-bats after being promoted from Double-A earlier this week. That includes one home run.

Moore, 22, was in big league camp with the Angels during spring training. After a hot start in the spring, he cooled off. He then started slowly at Double-A.

General Manager Perry Minasian said the Angels saw the adjustments they wanted from Moore in recent weeks, prompting the promotion.

“As far as work goes, he’s been outstanding from that point of view,” Minasian said on Friday. “So taking a look at it and talking to our staff, we felt like it was the right time to move him, and he’s gotten off to a good start in Triple-A. As far as what’s in the future, we’re taking it day by day. So hopefully he continues to play well. He’s very talented. He’s somebody we obviously really, really like and hold in high regard. But Triple-A is a big challenge, tough league. But he’s started off well, and we’ll continue to track it and see where it goes.”

Moore, the eighth overall pick in last summer’s draft after helping Tennessee win the College World Series title, has been playing second base, and the Angels could fit him into their major league lineup if they feel he’s shown enough in the minors.

Infielder Luis Rengifo is hitting .221 with a .543 OPS. Tim Anderson (.493 OPS) and Kevin Newman (.421 OPS) have also failed to do much at the plate. Kyren Paris (.673) has been the most productive player at second this season, and since Mike Trout has been hurt Paris has been getting most of his time in the outfield.

TROUT UPDATE

Trout, who is out because of a bone bruise in his left knee, ran again on Friday, the third time this week that he’s run on the field. The three-time American League MVP also took batting practice on the field for the first time since he was hurt. Trout has been hitting inside, including facing high velocity on the machine, for more than a week.

“I think in the next few days they’ll get him on the base paths,” Manager Ron Washington said. “And then we’ll look and see how many more boxes we have to check. At this point we don’t have very many, but we do have some boxes to check.”

Trout said he will not need a rehab assignment. One way the Angels could simulate that is by having him face Angels minor league pitchers at Angel Stadium, which they’ve done before.

“That hasn’t been discussed, but that may be something that we talk about,” Washington said.

NOTES

Right-hander Ben Joyce (shoulder surgery) has had his locker removed from the Angels’ clubhouse because he’ll be doing his rehab in Arizona. Joyce is out for the season. …

Right-hander Robert Stephenson (rehab from Tommy John surgery) has pitched four innings in his rehab assignment so far, allowing two runs. He pitched twice in Triple-A, including two strikeouts in a perfect inning on Friday night. “It’s nice to see him back on the mound, competing,” Minasian said. “He’s getting his work in. We’ll continue to monitor that.” …

Right-hander Sam Bachman, who was optioned after the Angels ended his rehab assignment, is now trying to catch up for the time lost to injuries in recent seasons, Minasian said. “Sam is throwing the ball well, and it’s big stuff,” Minasian said. “He hasn’t pitched that much, so he needs to pitch. Needs to get his legs under him. I’m hoping at some point he’s another guy that can help us win games.” …

Left-hander Garrett McDaniels (biceps tendinitis) has begun facing hitters during his rehab in Arizona. …

Right-hander José Fermin (right elbow impingement) has been throwing. The Angels have said they don’t expect him to miss much time on the injured list. He is eligible to return on May 31. …

Right-hander George Klassen has resumed throwing and doing baseball activities after he was hit in the head by a line drive earlier this month at Double-A. There is no timetable for him to return to pitch. Klassen is one of the Angels’ top pitching prospects.

UP NEXT

Marlins (RHP Cal Quantrill, 3-4, 6.37 ERA) at Angels (RHP José Soriano, 3-4, 3.57 ERA), Saturday, 7:07 p.m., FDSN West, 830 AM