Taft, California —— Head coach Vince Maiocco and the Taft College baseball program announced today that right-handed pitcher Will Moore has signed a letter of intent to continue his baseball career at Texas A&M University at Texarkana, an NAIA program in Texarkana, Texas. Moore is a Taft native and attended Taft Union High School before pitching the last two seasons for the Cougars’ baseball program.
We know Will Moore pretty well, having published a feature interview with the hard-throwing right-handed pitcher as well as a scouting report that took a long look at his unique balance point hitch and how it helps his fastball command and deception. Moore was the hardest thrower on Taft’s club this spring, and showed an advanced understanding of how to use his fastball to his advantage, both in missing bats and in drawing weak contact, especially against right-handed hitters. In 13 appearances (eight starts) entering Thursday, Moore is 5-3 with a 4.22 ERA in 42.2 innings pitched, and has 37 strikeouts and just one home run allowed against 39 hits and 25 walks in that time frame.
At the NAIA level, Moore is going to get a legitimate shot to slot into a starting rotation immediately upon stepping on campus thanks to his above-average velocity for this level of play. He’d also be an intriguing bullpen arm to dial it up in short spurts, although he’s told us he prefers being a starter so as to find a more structured routine upon which to build his body of work.
Here’s some of our Will Moore video from earlier this spring at Taft, where you’ll see his arm action and interesting balance point hitch mentioned above:
Congratulations to Will Moore on his big day, to Texas A&M University at Texarkana on their new acquisition for the next two seasons, and to the Taft College program for placing another ballplayer from their 2017 team. A
This is a Taft College team which, by the way, is finishing strong as owners of six wins in their last seven contests entering play tonight against West Hills Coalinga.
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In this Will Moore / Taft College news piece:
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