Mike Moustakas

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Michael C. Moustakas (born September 11, 1988 in Chatsworth, California) is a minor league baseball shortstop^[1] who was selected by the Kansas City Royals 2nd overall in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft.^[2] He is currently on the roster of the Burlington Bees, the Single-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.

1 Early life
2 High school
3 Draft
4 Pro Career
5 Scouting report
- 5.1 Pros
- 5.2 Cons
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Early life

Mike Moustakas attended Chatsworth High School in Chatsworth, California. He is also the nephew of former New York Mets hitting coach Tom Robson.

[edit] High school

Mike "Moose" Moustakas was a four-year starter in baseball for the national powerhouse Chatsworth High School. During that time he helped Chatsworth to a 124-11 record.

[edit] Freshman Year

As a freshman on the varsity baseball team in 2004, Moustakas batted .321 and hit nine doubles. In two regular season appearances as a pitcher, Moustakas went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA. Moustakas' most memorable moment from the season was when he pitched four shutout innings against Kennedy High School in the City Section Championship, helping Chatsworth to rally from a seven run deficit to win the game 10-7.^[3]

[edit] Sophomore Year

Moustakas upped his production incredibly his sophomore season at Chatsworth. He set school records by hitting 12 home runs, adding 51 RBIs, collecting 112 total bases and having a season slugging percentage of 1.000. He also tallied a .482 batting average. Moustakas added a 2-1 record on the mound with a 2.77 ERA. He was named California Sophomore of the Year by Cal-Hi Sports, in addition to being named First Team All-State, First Team All-City, and being named to the Lousiville Slugger All-American team. He was the Player of the year in the West Valley League as well.^[4]

[edit] Junior Year

As a junior Moustakas batted .427 and broke one of his own records by hitting 14 home runs. He also drove in 47 RBIs and had a .979 slugging percentage. Moustakas was named Los Angeles City Section Player of the Year, California Junior of the Year by Cal-Hi Sports, voted First Team All-State, First Team All-City, and was named to the Louisville Slugger All-American team for the second year in a row. He was once again Player of the year in the West Valley League as well.^[5]

[edit] Senior Year

During his senior year of high school, Moustakas hit 24 home runs in 97 at bats. The home run mark is a California prep record. He collected 56 hits in the 97 at bats producing a .577 batting average. Moustakas also added 18 doubles, four triples and compiled 59 RBIs. He only struck out twice on the season. When he wasn't playing shortstop for Chatsworth, he had relief pitching duties. As a closer Moustakas used his 97 mph fastball to strike out 18 of the 37 batters he faced his senior year. Moustakas was named Los Angeles City Section Player of the Year for the second consecutive year, California State Player of the Year by Cal-Hi Sports, First Team All-State, First Team All-City, and was named a Louisville Slugger All-American for the third consecutive year. He was named to the All-USA Baseball Team by USA Today and was named National Player of the Year by Baseball America, he was also once again Player of the Year in the West Valley League.^[6]

[edit] Moustakas' Baseball Records at Chatsworth H.S.

Season Record	Stat	Year
Home Runs in a Season	24	2007
RBIs in a Season	59	2007
Doubles in a Season	18	2007
Runs in a Season	51	2007

Career Record	Stat	Year(s)
Home Runs in a Career	52	2004-2007
Runs in a Career	172	2004-2007
RBIs in a Career	176	2004-2007
Hits in a Career	178	2004-2007
Doubles in a Career	43	2004-2007

[edit] Moustakas' Baseball Accolades at Chatsworth H.S.

Award	Year(s)
Cal-Hi Sophomore of the Year	2005
Cal-Hi Junior of the Year	2006
Cal-Hi Player of the Year	2007
West Valley League Player of the Year	2005, 2006, 2007
All-City Selection	2005, 2006, 2007
California All-State Selection	2005, 2006, 2007
Los Angeles City Section Player of the Year	2006, 2007
Louisville Slugger High School All-American^[7]	2005, 2006, 2007
Louisville Slugger High School Player of the Year	2007
USA Today All-USA high school baseball team	2007
Baseball America High School Player of the Year	2007

[edit] Draft

Moustakas was drafted by the Kansas City Royals with the 2nd overall pick of the 2007 amateur draft. He signed with the team on August 15, 2007, receiving a reported signing bonus of $4 million.^[8]

Fellow Chatsworth teammate Matt Dominguez was chosen by the Florida Marlins with the 12th overall pick of the amateur draft.

[edit] Pro Career

1st season - Moustakas signed late into the 2007 season and was sent to the Kansas City Royals high-rookie class affiliate Idaho Falls Chukars where he hit .293 in 41 at-bats.

2nd season - Moustakas is currently assigned to the single-A class affiliate Burlington Bees. As of June 6, 2008, Moustakas has batted .237 through 57 games, including eight home runs, 28 RBIs, eight doubles, and two triples.

[edit] Scouting report

[edit] Pros

Moustakas has the ability to hit well and has the potential to hit for both average and power (he has hit three home runs in a game before). Moustakas' agent, Scott Boras, has stood by his belief that Moustakas is the best power hitting middle infielder since Alex Rodriguez. His arm strength is considered to be above average. The one-time catcher is considered to be as healthy as ever.

[edit] Cons

Moustakas is considered to be a below average runner and to not have much range at shortstop. Many suspect that he will move to another position in the minors. This could include second base, third base, or perhaps a corner outfield position. However, the Royals insist they will play him at shortstop until he proves he cannot field the position adequately.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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