Former Hot Rod Matt Moore Named Minors Top Player
Published on November 4, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release
Bowling Green, KY - The Bowling Green Hot Rods, Class A Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, are proud to recognize that pitcher Matt Moore is the winner of the 52nd annual J.G. Taylor Spink Award as the Topps/Minor League Player of the Year. The former Hot Rod, Class of 2009, dominated three levels of baseball this year beginning with Double-A Montgomery and ending with seven shutout innings in the Rays first postseason game this fall.
"We want to congratulate Matt on winning this prestigious honor," stated Brad Taylor, Hot Rods President. "In addition to captivating the hearts of Hot Rods fans with his trek to the majors and his successful playoff debut, he has earned the well-deserved recognition of Minor League Baseball. We are excited to watch Matt's continued success when the 2012 season begins in April."
The 22-year-old Moore blazed his way through the Rays farm system this season, becoming the first Hot Rods player to reach the Major Leagues. He went 8-3 with a 2.20 ERA in 18 starts with the Montgomery Biscuits, including the first no-hitter of his career on June 16 against Mobile. After a promotion to Triple-A, the lefty continued to sizzle with a perfect 4-0 record and 1.37 ERA in nine starts with the Durham Bulls.
On September 12, Moore made Hot Rods history by being the first player to earn a promotion to the major leagues. Two days later, the former eighth round draft pick made his debut in a relief outing in Baltimore. He earned his first big league win after striking out 11 Yankees in five scoreless frames at Yankees Stadium on September 22. He ended his first stint in the big leagues by throwing seven shutout innings against the Texas Rangers in the opener of the Rays American League Divisional Series.
In addition to the Spink Award, Moore earned Southern League Pitcher of the Year honors. Despite making just nine starts in Triple-A, the New Mexico native was placed on the International League Postseason All-Star team.
Moore finished the year second among all MiLB pitchers with a career-high 210 strikeouts and a .184 batting average against. With the Hot Rods in 2009, Moore went 8-5 with a 3.15 ERA and his minor league-best 176 strikeouts. A year later he recorded 208 K's with Class A Charlotte to once again lead the minor leagues.
- HOT RODS - The Hot Rods open the 2012 season on Thursday, April 5, against South Bend (Arizona Diamondbacks) at Bowling Green Ballpark. To view the entire 2012 schedule, visit www.bghotrods.com. Game times and promos are TBD.
Midwest League Stories from November 4, 2011
- Vote for the Kernels Summer Reading Program in the Pepsi Refresh Project - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Former Hot Rod Matt Moore Named Minors Top Player - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Rymer Liriano Named Topps Player of the Year - Fort Wayne TinCaps
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