By Matt Snyder Rays' top prospect Matt Moore has been told he's coming to the majors, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com. He will reportedly join the club Monday.
Moore, 22, began the season in Double-A after finishing last year in High-A. He has been steadily rising in prospect rankings since being drafted in the eighth round out of high school in 2007, to the point that Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus had Moore as the No. 2 prospect in all of baseball when he updated his rankings in mid-July. Bryce Harper was No. 1, which means Moore is regarded at the top pitching prospect in baseball by a highly-respected evaluator.
Moore made 18 starts in Double-A this season, in which he went 8-3 with a 2.20 ERA and 0.94 WHIP and 131 strikeouts in 102 1/3 innings. Believe it or not, he got better in Triple-A. Moore was 4-0 with a 1.37 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 79 strikeouts in 52 2/3 Triple-A innings.
He likely joins the bullpen and could make a spot start during the Rays' doubleheader against the Yankees September 21. There is precedent in place for the Rays to use a prized starting pitching prospect in this manner. Back in 2008, a 23-year-old left-hander named David Price made four relief appearances and one start in September. He also ended up getting in five postseason games. He seemed to turn out OK. Considering the Rays are within striking distance of the AL Wild Card, it's possible Moore has a similar shot.
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