Biographical

Portrait of Mike Moustakas

Mike Moustakas 3BReds

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2019 Projections (Preseason PECOTA - seasonal age 30)
PA AVG HR R RBI SB DRC+ WARP
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Birth Date9-11-1988
Height6' 0"
Weight225 lbs
Age36 years, 2 months, 13 days
BatsL
ThrowsR
4.32015
0.62016
2.72017
3.42018
2.72019
proj
WARP Summary

MLB Statistics

YEAR TEAM AGE G PA H 2B 3B HR BB SO HBP SB CS AVG OBP SLG DRC+ DRAA BRR FRAA BWARP
2011 KCA 22 89 365 89 18 1 5 22 51 1 2 0 .263 .309 .367 86 -5.4 -1.0 2.3 0.8
2012 KCA 23 149 614 136 34 1 20 39 124 7 5 2 .242 .296 .412 95 -3.5 -2.4 19.8 3.5
2013 KCA 24 136 514 110 26 0 12 32 83 5 2 4 .233 .287 .364 85 -7.6 -3.0 5.0 1.0
2014 KCA 25 140 500 97 21 1 15 35 74 3 1 0 .212 .271 .361 92 -4.4 1.7 7.1 2.1
2015 KCA 26 147 614 156 34 1 22 43 76 13 1 2 .284 .348 .470 119 15.7 -1.3 6.8 4.3
2016 KCA 27 27 113 25 6 0 7 9 13 0 0 1 .240 .301 .500 121 3.1 -0.7 -0.4 0.6
2017 KCA 28 148 598 151 24 0 38 34 94 3 0 0 .272 .314 .521 121 17.3 -1.6 -7.4 2.7
2018 KCA 29 98 417 94 21 1 20 30 63 5 3 0 .249 .309 .468 109 5.7 -2.6 11.1 2.7
2018 MIL 29 54 218 50 12 0 8 19 40 2 1 1 .256 .326 .441 107 2.5 -2.6 0.5 0.8
2019 MIL 30 143 584 133 30 1 35 53 98 6 3 0 .254 .329 .516 118 16.7 -2.8 -2.6 2.9
Career1131453710412266182316716451810.252.310.44110540.2-16.342.321.3

Statistics for All Levels

'opp' stats - Quality of opponents faced - have been moved and are available only as OPP_QUAL in the Statistics reports now.
Minor league stats are currently shownClick to hide.
YEAR Team Lg LG G PA oppAVG oppOBP oppSLG BABIP BPF BRAA repLVL POS_ADJ DRC+ DRC+ SD FRAA BRR DRAA BWARP
2007 IDA Rk PIO 11 47 .282 .340 .424 .364 94 -1 1.7 0.3 97 0 0.4 0.0 -2.7 0.0
2008 BUR A MDW 126 549 .253 .327 .374 .291 96 20.4 16.3 3.6 124 0 12.7 0.3 7.6 4.2
2009 WIL A+ CRL 129 530 .259 .332 .386 .276 92 6.4 16.0 1.8 102 0 0.3 2.4 2.8 2.4
2010 NWA AA TXS 66 298 .258 .341 .391 .352 110 31.1 8.6 0.6 174 0 8.0 -0.3 22.3 4.0
2010 OMA AAA PCL 52 236 .272 .343 .434 .276 91 8.3 7.2 1 120 0 3.7 -0.3 6.7 1.7
2011 KCA MLB AL 89 365 .260 .319 .406 .296 106 -4.9 9.8 1.4 86 10 2.3 -1.0 -5.4 0.8
2011 OMA AAA PCL 55 250 .286 .360 .444 .314 106 8.4 7.8 0.6 104 0 8.0 -3.7 2.1 1.4
2012 KCA MLB AL 149 614 .255 .317 .407 .274 101 -3.7 16.8 2.3 95 8 19.8 -2.4 -3.5 3.5
2013 KCA MLB AL 136 514 .257 .319 .401 .257 99 -12.5 13.5 1.8 85 8 5.0 -3.0 -7.6 1.0
2014 KCA MLB AL 140 500 .258 .317 .396 .220 102 -12 12.9 1.8 92 9 7.1 1.7 -4.4 2.1
2014 OMA AAA PCL 8 34 .277 .338 .435 .417 97 2.7 1.0 0 130 0 1.6 0.1 1.0 0.4
2015 KCA MLB AL 147 614 .256 .315 .407 .294 104 16.9 16.6 2.3 119 7 6.8 -1.3 15.7 4.3
2016 KCA MLB AL 27 113 .274 .330 .439 .214 100 2.3 3.2 0.4 121 13 -0.4 -0.7 3.1 0.6
2016 NWA AA TEX 2 8 .258 .326 .409 .400 95 -0.6 0.2 -0.1 61 0 0.1 0.0 -0.5 0.0
2017 KCA MLB AL 148 598 .255 .321 .428 .263 103 10.4 17.5 0.7 121 9 -7.4 -1.6 17.3 2.7
2018 KCA MLB AL 98 417 .250 .320 .415 .247 102 5.1 11.7 -0.3 109 5 11.1 -2.6 5.7 2.7
2018 MIL MLB NL 54 218 .252 .319 .410 .282 94 3.9 6.1 0.8 107 5 0.5 -2.6 2.5 0.8
2019 MIL MLB NL 143 584 .252 .323 .434 .250 96 20 17.6 1.3 118 11 -2.6 -2.8 16.7 2.9

Statistics For All Levels

Minor league stats are currently shownClick to hide.
Year Team lvl LG PA AB R H 2B 3B HR TB RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG ISO SF SH
2007 IDA Rk PIO 47 41 6 12 4 1 0 18 10 4 8 0 0 .293 .383 .439 .146 0 0
2008 BUR A MDW 549 496 77 135 25 3 22 232 71 43 86 8 4 .272 .339 .468 .196 0 0
2009 WIL A+ CRL 530 492 66 123 32 2 16 207 86 32 90 10 6 .250 .298 .421 .171 1 1
2010 OMA AAA PCL 236 225 36 66 16 0 15 127 48 8 25 2 0 .293 .318 .564 .271 0 0
2010 NWA AA TXS 298 259 58 90 25 0 21 178 76 26 42 0 1 .347 .421 .687 .340 0 0
2011 KCA MLB AL 365 338 26 89 18 1 5 124 30 22 51 2 0 .263 .309 .367 .104 2 2
2011 OMA AAA PCL 250 223 38 64 15 1 10 111 44 19 44 1 1 .287 .347 .498 .211 3 2
2012 KCA MLB AL 614 563 69 136 34 1 20 232 73 39 124 5 2 .242 .296 .412 .171 5 0
2013 KCA MLB AL 514 472 42 110 26 0 12 172 42 32 83 2 4 .233 .287 .364 .131 4 1
2014 KCA MLB AL 500 457 45 97 21 1 15 165 54 35 74 1 0 .212 .271 .361 .149 4
2014 OMA AAA PCL 34 31 3 11 3 0 1 17 5 3 6 0 0 .355 .412 .548 .194 0
2015 KCA MLB AL 614 549 73 156 34 1 22 258 82 43 76 1 2 .284 .348 .470 .186 5 4
2016 NWA AA TEX 8 8 0 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 3 0 0 .250 .250 .250 .000 0 0
2016 KCA MLB AL 113 104 12 25 6 0 7 52 13 9 13 0 1 .240 .301 .500 .260 0 0
2017 KCA MLB AL 598 555 75 151 24 0 38 289 85 34 94 0 0 .272 .314 .521 .249 6 0
2018 MIL MLB NL 218 195 20 50 12 0 8 86 33 19 40 1 1 .256 .326 .441 .185 2 0
2018 KCA MLB AL 417 378 46 94 21 1 20 177 62 30 63 3 0 .249 .309 .468 .220 4 0
2019 MIL MLB NL 584 523 80 133 30 1 35 270 87 53 98 3 0 .254 .329 .516 .262 2 0

Plate Discipline

YEAR Pits Zone% Swing% Contact% Z-Swing% O-Swing% Z-Contact% O-Contact% SwStr% CSAA
2011 1370 0.4964 0.4883 0.8445 0.6456 0.3333 0.9134 0.7130 0.1555 0.0013
2012 2397 0.4844 0.4940 0.7593 0.6486 0.3487 0.8459 0.6079 0.2407 -0.0035
2013 1949 0.4777 0.4885 0.8078 0.6692 0.3232 0.8764 0.6778 0.1922 -0.0033
2014 2046 0.4550 0.4829 0.8249 0.6810 0.3175 0.8612 0.7599 0.1751 -0.0047
2015 2422 0.4620 0.4690 0.8319 0.6354 0.3262 0.8903 0.7341 0.1681 -0.0025
2016 465 0.4538 0.4215 0.8367 0.6114 0.2638 0.8837 0.7463 0.1633 0.0000
2017 2228 0.4381 0.5548 0.7888 0.7418 0.4089 0.8909 0.6445 0.2112 0.0000
2018 2373 0.4598 0.5209 0.7807 0.7177 0.3534 0.8646 0.6358 0.2193 0.0000
2019 2185 0.4563 0.4961 0.7509 0.7021 0.3232 0.8229 0.6198 0.2491 0.0000
Career174350.46440.49790.79690.67970.34070.86900.67300.2031-0.0016

Injury History  —  No longer being updated

Last Update: 12/31/2014 23:59 ET

Date On Date Off Transaction Days Games Side Body Part Injury Severity Surgery Date Reaggravation
2014-07-09 2014-07-10 DTD 1 1 - General Medical Illness -
2013-08-27 2013-08-30 DTD 3 3 - General Medical Illness Strep Throat - -
2013-08-13 2013-08-17 DTD 4 5 Left Lower Leg Strain Calf - -
2013-05-26 2013-05-29 DTD 3 3 - Thigh Tightness Quadriceps - -
2013-03-12 2013-03-13 Camp 1 0 Right Foot Contusion - -
2012-10-02 2012-10-04 DTD 2 2 Left Groin Strain - -
2012-09-30 2012-09-30 DTD 0 0 Left Groin Tightness - -
2012-07-29 2012-07-31 DTD 2 1 Right Knee Sprain - -
2012-05-12 2012-05-14 DTD 2 2 - Thigh Soreness Hamstring - -
2012-05-10 2012-05-11 DTD 1 0 - Thigh Soreness Hamstring - -
2012-03-13 2012-03-15 Camp 2 0 Right Knee Contusion HBP - -
2012-03-13 2012-03-16 Camp 3 0 - General Medical Illness GI - -
2011-05-13 2011-05-15 Minors 2 2 - Upper Arm Contusion Biceps HBP -
2010-08-09 2010-08-13 Minors 4 0 - Foot Contusion Foul Ball -
2010-04-08 2010-04-22 Minors 14 0 - Abdomen Recovery From Strain Oblique -
2010-03-22 2010-04-08 Camp 17 2 Abdomen Strain Oblique -

Compensation

Year Team Salary
2024 CHA $
2023 COL $720,000
2023 CIN $17,280,000
2022 CIN $16,000,000
2021 CIN $14,000,000
2020 CIN $12,000,000
2019 MIL $7,000,000
2018 KCA $5,500,000
2017 KCA $8,700,000
2016 KCA $5,600,000
2015 KCA $2,640,000
2014 KCA $549,000
2013 KCA $524,500
2012 KCA $487,250
YearsDescriptionSalary
12 yrPrevious$91,000,750
12 yrTotal$91,000,750

 

Service TimeAgentContract Status
12 y 111 dBoras Corp.1 year (2024)

Details
  • 1 year (2024). Signed by Chicago White Sox as a free agent 2/14/24 (minor-league contract). Released by Chicago White Sox 3/22/24.
  • 4 years/$64M (2020-23), plus 2024 club option. Signed by Cincinnati as a free agent 12/5/19. 20:$12M, 21:$14M, 22:$16M, 23:$18M, 24:$20M club option ($4M buyout). Award bonuses: $250,000 for MVP ($200,000 for second in MVP vote, $150,000 for third). $100,000 for Gold Glove. $75,000 each for All Star, Silver Slugger. Moustakas to donate 1% of annual base salary to club charity. DFA by Cincinnati 12/22/22. Released 1/5/23. Signed by Colorado as a free agent 3/5/23 (minor-league contract). Pro-rated Major League minimum salary of $720,000 in majors. Contract selected by Colorado 3/30/23. Acquired by LA Angels in trade from Colorado 6/24/23.
  • 1 year/$10M (2019), plus 2020 mutual option. Signed by Milwaukee as a free agent 2/20/19. 19:$7M, 20:$11M mutual option ($3M buyout). Award bonuses: $0.1M for MVP ($75,000 for second place in vote, $50,000 for third). $50,000 each for All Star, Silver Slugger, Comeback Player of Year, Hank Aaron award, WS MVP. $25,000 each for Gold Glove, LCS MVP.
  • 1 year/$6.5M (2018), plus 2019 mutual option. Re-signed by Kansas City as a free agent 3/9/18. 18:$5.5M, 19:$15M mutual option ($1M buyout). 2018 Performance bonuses: $0.2M each for 225, 250, 275, 300, 325, 350 plate appearances. $0.25M each for 375, 400, 425, 450 PA. Acquired by Milwaukee in trade from Kansas City 7/27/18 with $2,922,043 remaining on contract ($1,922,043 for 2018 and $1M buyout for 2019). Milwaukee declined 2019 option 10/30/18.
  • 2 years/$14.3M (2016-17). Signed extension with Kansas City 2/11/16 (avoided arbitration, $7M-$4.2M). 16:$5.6M, 17:$8.7M.
  • 1 year/$2.64M (2015). Re-signed by Kansas City 2/3/15 ($3.1M-$1.85M). Performance bonuses: $10,000 for 550 plate appearances. Award bonus: $50,000 for All Star.
  • 1 year/$549,000 (2014). Re-signed by Kansas City 2/22/14. Award bonus: $50,000 for All-Star selection.
  • 1 year/$524,500 (2013). Re-signed by Kansas City 2/20/13.
  • 1 year/$487,250 (2012). Re-signed by Kansas City 2/18/12.
  • 1 year (2011). Contract purchased by Kansas City 6/10/11.
  • Drafted by Kansas City 2007 (1-2) (Chatsworth HS, Calif.). Signed 8/15/07, $4M signing bonus.

2019 Preseason Forecast

Last Update: 1/27/2017 12:35 ET

PCT PA R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG DRC+ VORP FRAA WARP
90o 54 15 3 0 3 5 8 0 0 .306 .382 .551 136 0.0 3B 0 0.0
80o 36 10 2 0 2 3 6 0 0 .312 .371 .562 129 0.0 3B 0 0.0
70o 23 6 1 0 1 2 4 0 0 .286 .348 .476 124 0.0 3B 0 0.0
60o 12 4 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 .400 .455 .800 120 0.0 3B 0 0.0
50o 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 116 0.0 3B 0 0.0
Weighted Mean410000100.250.250.2501170.03B 00.0

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BP Annual Player Comments

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BP Articles

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BP Chats

DateQuestionAnswer
2019-07-22 15:00:00 (link to chat)My best hitters in a dynasty league are Mike Moustakas and Trey Mancini. My top scoring pitchers are Joe Musgrove and Michael Pineda. Am I doomed?
(Elton from Pacific Northwest)
Hi Elton - or whichever of your leaguemates this is! The good news about dynasty leagues is that you're never doomed the way you are in a redraft. It might take a while to rebuild but Moustakas and Mancini have been really good this year and Musgrove is starting to tap into some of that potential. Flip some of those guys to contenders to rebuild the system, draft well, and don't worry about being doomed. (Darius Austin)
2019-06-28 13:00:00 (link to chat)I'm no longer competing for this year despite having a .500 record. The only player I have that is interesting is Mike Moustakas. What should I get for him?
(Elton from Pacific NorthWest)
Moose has been low-key awesome this year, so you're going to want to be patient cashing in on him, especially with that 2nd base eligibility. I'd target a top-30ish prospect or two top 100 SPs (I like trying to spread out the SP prospect risk). But for sure, aim high. (Mark Barry)
2017-02-14 12:00:00 (link to chat)Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas for Gleyber Torress, Jorge Mateo, Aaron Judge and Greg Bird. Who says no?
(Jeffrey from KC)
Me, so I don't have to rewrite more stuff for the Futures Guide. Also, the Yankees. (The Top 101 Prospect Chat with Jeffrey Paternostro)
2016-03-03 13:00:00 (link to chat)Joc Pederson has come to spring training supposedly with a new swing he's worked on in the offseason, a la Mike Moustakas. He says he's worked on better contact and spraying the ball to all fields and not concerned with hitting HR's. How much of this spring training talk do you buy into? Does it take a couple of years to really adjust your swing?
(DavidMGibson from Home of the BC Manatees)
The "new swing" isn't quite the "best shape of my life" in terms of making me roll my eyes, but it's close. That being said, it's nice to hear, and if Pederson can make more contact/trust the natural strength, it will help the hit tool immensely. (Christopher Crawford)
2015-02-13 19:00:00 (link to chat)I have a trade that I have been offered where I give up Gallardo and Mujica for Mike Moustakas and Marco Gonzales. I like the deal because my best third baseman is David Freese (I have a 30 team dynasty league by the way). The salaries are about even for this deal, but I can't really make the decision. Mujica is basically a wash, and I feel that Gallardo is due for a rude awakening in Texas without Lucroy. But at the same time, my starting pitching depth behind Gallardo is Ubaldo, Nolasco, Kendrick, and Hand. Do you think I should pull the trigger on this deal?
(joughbrasch from Denver)
I'd make that deal. I don't like Gallardo in Texas at all, and I think there's enough upside in Gonzales by himself to make that trade. Your pitching is really thin, but Gallardo isn't going to be much better than those guys. I'd make that deal and then try to flip one of Moustakas or Freese for a better pitcher. (Mike Gianella)
2014-10-17 12:00:00 (link to chat)If I had asked you three months ago what the Royals' offseason would look like, what would you have said? What about now?
(Justin from KC)
The biggest difference wrought by these three months, I think, is the Royals will show even more faith in Mike Moustakas. Their needs remain the same: They need an RF, a DH, another starting pitcher and some bullpen help.

Why?

Right field: Nori Aoki is a free agent, and he'll certainly play for more than $1.5 million in 2015. KC may make an attempt to retain him.

DH: The Royals have a $12.5 million team option on Billy Butler, and they certainly won't pick it up. He wants to stay, even after an awkward September spent sometimes on the bench. That feeling may not be mutual, but a World Series trophy could alter any potential plans to cut ties with him. Butler is a popular player with the ownership group, and his roots here are deep.

SP: James Shields is a free agent. He'll get a qualifying offer and decline it. If the Royals sign him after that, Andy Martino will cover spring training in a Speedo.

Bullpen: You always need bullpen arms. Here is the one other major difference. It appeared pretty clear throughout the season that the Royals had to make a decision about Greg Holland and Wade Davis. Their total paycheck for 2015 should land around $15 million (give or take $100,000 based on Holland's arbitration figure), and that's a high price to pay for two one-inning relievers. But, of course, this run may alter their internal calculus. Our Sam Mellinger reported the Royals believe they make at least $1 million for every playoff game they host. If they have the spare cash, they may feel its imperative to retain the ingredients of this formula.

That said, relievers are relievers are relievers, and relievers are inherently damaged pitchers. They end up as relievers because there's something wrong with them that prevents them from starting. So they can be volatile. Holland missed a good chunk of September with, essentially, a cranky arm. His triceps was tight. He has the most trade value of the duo, but between his profile as a one-inning reliever and some injury concerns of rival officials, the team won't exactly be able to trade him for a front-line hitter. One suggestion I heard - from neither a Royals official nor a Nationals official - was a fair swap would be Holland for Tanner Roark. I'm not sure the KC front office would be overwhelmed by that offer, but that's the type that could be awaiting them.

All of this is to say: Yes, Moustakas will be back in 2015, despite hitting .212/.271/.361 in 140 games this year. (Andy McCullough)
2014-10-17 12:00:00 (link to chat)What do you think of Christian Colon? He had a nice 2014 and seems like a solid 2b. What do you see his future as and will he get a chance to start for the Royals? Want to know more about him. Thx.
(Cristobal Colon from Pasadena, CA)
A certain segment of Royals fans will always link Colon with Chris Sale, which is a fair standard for the organization, but somewhat unfair for Colon. He impressed team officials by embracing his utility role this season. When the club traded Danny Valencia in July, they said the imperative was getting Colon to the majors. It would make some sense for Colon to get 250-300 at-bats next season as a backup for Omar Infante and a right-handed complement to Mike Moustakas at third base.

But, who knows. (Andy McCullough)
2014-10-17 12:00:00 (link to chat)The Royals come to you and say "bruh, this walk-up music we're using sucks. You like music, don't you? Choose the walk-up music for this whole lineup..." Nine players, nine songs. GO!
(Bruh from Club)
I did this in a mailbag bag in August. Forgive the jumbled up lineup:

1. Nori Aoki: "The Downfall of Us All" by A Day To Remember. This would just be an amusing way to start the first inning.

2. Omar Infante: "Mojo So Dope" by Kid Cudi. Omar is a laid-back fellow.

3. Salvador Perez: "Simon Says" by Pharoah Monche. The Godzilla introduction would be excellent.

4. Billy Butler: "Some Guys Have All The Luck" by Rod Stewart. A classic for the perpetually put-upon DH.

5. Alex Gordon: "Put On" by Young Jeezy. Either this, or "My Hero" by Foo Fighters. Or "The Best" by Tina Turner. I doubt Gordon would like the latter choices.

6. Josh Willingham: "Top Notch" by Manchester Orchestra. Non-descript rock music.

7. Lorenzo Cain: "Hold On, We're Going Home" by Drake. Smoother than LoCain flagging down a line drive in center.

8. Mike Moustakas: "You Wanted More" by Tonic. What? It's a good guitar riff.

9. Alcides Escobar: "Bowtie" by Outkast. I don't know. Feels like it fits. (Andy McCullough)
2014-10-17 12:00:00 (link to chat)Mike Moustakas has been a great defender this year, but other than a decent home run total, has looked completely lost at the plate. What are your thoughts on his future, and who will be the Royals' third baseman in 2016?
(Frank from Kansas City)
We touched on this earlier, but I would think he'd be their third baseman again in 2016. Hunter Dozier made some noise in Wilmington at the start of the year, but stalled in Double A. (Andy McCullough)
2014-09-08 13:00:00 (link to chat)Jon Singleton: Waste of 10 million or just a overmatched rookie?
(Liver RAW D from Cali)
I think he'll be a bit worse than average big-league regular through his arb years, which makes this at most a waste of $1 million or $2 million. Mike Moustakas has produced 5.6 WARP in his career, if you can believe it. (Sam Miller)
2014-05-05 13:00:00 (link to chat)Are organizations like BAL, ARI just bad at developing pitching prospects like how KC is bad with hitting prospects? Or is it just bad luck with bust prospects?
(norwun from NYC)
In general, I would say that most of those sorts of reputations are vastly overblown. There is a ton of luck involved and sometimes you hit a bad stretch for a long period of time. Sometimes organizations have strange philosophies that make you scratch your head - like Baltimore's refusal to let any of their pitchers throw a cutter but drafting of a pitcher whose best pitch is a cutter (Bundy), but I don't think that's why Bundy got hurt. There's just bad luck involved.

Some reputations are just flat out wrong, too. KC has developed Alex Gordon, Eric Hosmer, Billy Butler, and Sal Perez, and they even get credit for Wil Myers. Just because Mike Moustakas stinks doesn't mean they can't develop hitters. (Jeff Moore)
2014-05-21 13:00:00 (link to chat)Do you feel Mike Moustakas is salvageable at this point - for this year, and for his career?
(Bill from Bozeman)
Ugh, sure he's salvageable long-term. Too much pedigree and youth to end his career, but any surge he has will be on someone else's team. I'm done. (Paul Sporer)
2014-04-16 19:00:00 (link to chat)Have a couple AL only guys to try and buy low on at this point?
(russellj90 from Iowa)
How about Trevor Bauer, Jonathan Villar and Craig Gentry? Not Mike Moustakas, unfortunately. Stay away. (Ben Carsley)
2014-03-14 09:00:00 (link to chat)Mike Moustakas: Is his valuation moving up? I have a keeper decision to make - he was definately a throw away, but now I' not so sure.
(rsambrook from Sacramento)
He's not moving up for me. I'm still not convinced he can hit left-handed pitching, and haven't seen or heard any evidence that he has made an adjustment. He's feasting on early ST pitching. He might improve a little bit this year, but I'm not expecting a breakout. Maybe Moustakas will prove me wrong, but I'm not going to place a big bet on that possibility. (Mike Gianella)
2014-01-23 12:00:00 (link to chat)Mike Moustakas .... primed for an Alex Gordon-like emergence or more of the same frustration? Do you like Michael Choice in the Texas OF picture?
(dianagram from VORGville)
Moustakas was so so bad last season. How do you look at his stats and expect him to be an above average player? The Royals can't (and won't) give up on him yet, so that's a good thing in that we get to find out the answer to this novel, but wow yuck.

As for Choice, Texas is a great place to hit, but where's he going to play? Rios, Choo, and Martin in the outfield doesn't leave much room. He can't platoon with Rios because they're both right-handed and you don't give the money to Choo that the Rangers did and then platoon him. So, fourth outfielder? Depth is good though. It's a long season. (Matthew Kory)
2014-01-02 13:00:00 (link to chat)I'm looking at three third basemen on my team, and they all have question marks for the upcoming season: Mike Moustakas, Xander Bogaerts, and Nick Castellanos. What are your thoughts on these three for 2014 and beyond? Do I need to try to get someone more experienced by opening day?
(Jim from Detroit)
I don't think you need more experience. Bogaerts is going to be valuable immediately, and I believe in Castellanos' bat as well. I'm not a Moustakas fan, but with that amount of depth at/near the major leagues I think you're ok. (Craig Goldstein)
2013-10-24 13:00:00 (link to chat)Do you think Mike Moustakas can ever find his groove and become a relevant fantasy player? Thanks!
(Mitch from The Toilet)
At this point, almost 1,500 plate appearances into his pro career, it's hard to project a breakout. He's still young, relatively at 25, so there is absolutely still a chance that he turns into something more than what he is, but with the Royals in win-now mode (for some reason) I'm not sure that's the best organization for him to try and figure things out.

To answer your question more specifically, I'd guess no. But with the caveat that I could be wrong! (Matthew Kory)
2013-07-02 13:00:00 (link to chat)Hi Zach thanks for the chat! Should I be getting excited at all about how Mike Moustakas is stringing along multi-hit games or is this just a fluke?
(Nathan from Kansas City)
I think there's been a Moustaks question in every chat I've done, so think of this more as an update and updates are always dangerous. Players don't really change that much month to month. I'm going to say fluke in that any several-game sample from any player is a fluke.

OPS by month
April: .575
May: .545
June: .664

This still isn't telling me a lot of good news. (Zachary Levine)
2013-05-22 18:00:00 (link to chat)Should I give up on Mike Moustakas? Or will he rebound in your opinion?
(Derek from Kansas City)
I do not like what I see from him. If you can find a believer, feel free to move (Jason Collette)
2013-04-30 12:00:00 (link to chat)Mike Moustakas. Ugh. Time to cut bait if there are other options?
(Bob from Kansas City)
It depends on the other options. I watched a lot of Moustakas during the first week and he looked miserable. At the same time we all know he's better than what he's played so far.

I guess it comes down to this: Do you need him to break out this season in order to feel satisfied with his production? (R.J. Anderson)
2013-04-23 13:00:00 (link to chat)Thanks for the chat! I had high hopes for Brandon Belt and Mike Moustakas at the beginning of the season. Should I finally give up on these two?
(Derek from St. Louis)
Of the two, I had a stronger pull toward the Belt fan club and I'm trying to find an escape route where nobody will notice me slip out the back door of the meeting.

But these things shouldn't be binary yes-no type of things. Every bit of additional information should adjust your expectations, and there's no question that this start lowers mine even if only a bit.

By the way, Giants first base has been a black hole for a decade with the exception of Aubrey Huff's quickly-corrected 2010. (Zachary Levine)
2013-04-23 13:00:00 (link to chat)Should the Royals send Mike Moustakas back to the minors? He's a decent defender but is giving them nothing on offense. He's got one RBI on the year. One.
(Jim from Kansas City)
Always two ways to look at the question of sending a player, especially a top prospect, back to the minors.

1. The effect on the player. Will he learn from it, settle down, etc? Or is it something that can only be learned from facing major league pitching day after day? I don't know Moustakas' personality type well, but I tend to lean toward the latter. If they determine he needs a mental break or to gain confidence, I wouldn't argue with that.

2. The effect on the team. Can they put somebody there that you know or expect will be better. I'd be inclined to let it ride with Moustakas. In 62 plate appearances, he has 5 walks, 8 strikeouts and a .184 BABIP. Not to say that BABIP is entirely luck, but a lot of it is, and I'd expect that to go up. Not sure where the power is, though. (Zachary Levine)
2013-04-15 13:00:00 (link to chat)Some of my fantasy guys are really struggling early. What's your short and long term prognosis for Mike Moustakas? Will Aaron Hicks relax and stick around? Does Lorenzo Cain have what it takes to be a star? Leonys Martin?
(Jim from Seattle)
I like Moustakas, although he's taking his time to develop. Then again, he's only 24, so he's got time. Hicks we've covered, Cain is useful but not exciting. Martin seems like a high-risk/high-reward type, but the sample is so limited at the big-league level, I don't have a good feel for him yet. (Geoff Young)
2013-04-18 14:00:00 (link to chat)Through 250 MLB games, Mike Moustakas' 162-game average is a pathetic .246 batting average with 16 homers and a .685 OPS. He pops up to third so often teams would be smart to shift their second basemen to the left side when he bats. Even worse, he seems to be regressing. I know the Royals are invested and don't have better options, but is it too soon to give up on him for fantasy purposes?
(Paul from Kansas City)
It's worth being patient with Moustakas a little longer, because he's only 24, but the popups to third and occasional struggles with left-handed pitching are definitely legitimate concerns. On the other hand, he's walking a bit more and striking out less in the early going, so if he can find a way to square up more balls, a breakthrough could be coming. If his defense is as good as it graded out to be in FRAA and UZR last year, he'll always be more valuable to the Royals than to fantasy owners, but I would wait another year before cutting bait. (Daniel Rathman)
2013-03-26 13:00:00 (link to chat)Thanks for the chat! Could you rank these following players on chances of a breakout season: Kyle Seager, Brandon Belt, Todd Frazier, Ben Revere, Matt Harvey, and Mike Moustakas?
(Derek from Kansas City)
Harvey
Belt
Moustakas
Revere
Seager
Frazier (Zachary Levine)
2013-03-06 20:00:00 (link to chat)Mike Moustakas will finish the year__ ranked 3B?
(MerleDixon from PA)
I'm pretty "meh" on Moustakas for this year in mixed leagues. You'll get your .260 average with 20-25 home runs. I see him as the 14-15th third baseman. (Paul Singman)
2013-02-27 20:00:00 (link to chat)In my AL-only Dynasty Lg, I acquired Mike Moustakas, Addison Reed, Byron Buxton and the 6th overall pick for Justin Verlander & my 10th, 11th and 12th round picks. Was this a good pick-up, considering that I have Matt Moore, Yu Darvish, Derek Holland and Tommy Milone as my top starters
(jlarsen from Chicago)
Hard to say considering I don't know what those picks would typically fetch in your league. That seems like a lot to give up since it's an AL-only. Your staff looks deep, but this isn't a mixed. I do like Buxton a lot, but I don't like the idea of giving up Verlander without getting a top hitter back. I have been burned in the past dealing an ace pitcher for a package of players rather than one big hitter in return. (Mike Gianella)
2013-02-08 13:00:00 (link to chat)Thanks for the chat! Pick your breakout candidate this year out of the following: Todd Frazier, Brandon Belt, Mike Moustakas, and Kyle Seager.
(Derek from KC)
I like this question. I feel like Frazier and Belt are closest to their ceilings; Belt, especially, has some fundamental mechanical stuff to address if he ever wants to reach his power ceiling. I like the little power boost Seager displayed last year, but I can't help but feel like Moose is the only superstar in the bunch. Yeah, he's scuffled some the past two years, but he's going to be 24 for the entire '13 season. He's still CRAZY young. Gotta go with him. And even if he doesn't figure it out this year, he'll definitely be the guy over the long haul. (Ian Miller)
2013-01-22 13:00:00 (link to chat)Thanks for the chat! In my keeper league I kept Mike Moustakas, Todd Frazier, Brandon Belt, and Kyle Seager. Smart move?
(Derek from Kansas City)
Derek, it depends on the opportunity cost. I can see reasons for keeping all four of those players in a vacuum, but we both know that's not how this thing works. (R.J. Anderson)
2012-12-28 13:00:00 (link to chat)Expecting a big bounce back year from Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer? Thanks for the chat!
(Bill from Kansas City)
I remain hopeful that they are experiencing the usual growing pains. Both of those guys are incredibly young. Of course, I'm still waiting for Ruben Rivera and Sean Burroughs. Any moment now, I can feel it. (Geoff Young)
2012-07-25 13:30:00 (link to chat)Thanks for chatting, Ben! No talking fantasy here, but real life baseball: if you had to choose between Brett Lawrie and Mike Moustakas from now until the end of their respective careers, either as a hitter or complete package, which do you take?
(smallflowers from live from the delino deshields sr. fanclub)
I like Moustakas a little more as a player. Slightly higher draft pick, slightly better prospect, more than slightly better makeup (supposedly) and production this season. Then again, Lawrie is almost a year and a half younger. That difference in age might make up the difference in career production right there. Tough call, but I think I still give the edge to Moose. (Ben Lindbergh)
2012-01-10 13:00:00 (link to chat)Do you think Dustin Ackley and Mike Moustakas will have effective enough traditional 5 category numbers to be solid starters at their positions in a deep 11 team keeper league? Very encouraging late 2011 numbers by both guys.
(Honey Badger from NYC)
Honey Badger don't give a shat... Ok, out of my system... If that's a mixed league, they might be solid enough, but they're not guys I'd be thrilled to have starting for me in 2012 in a 5x5, 11-team mixed league. I'd rather have Moustakas than Ackley for 2012, though. (Derek Carty)
2011-06-02 13:00:00 (link to chat)Lawrie, Jennings, Ackley... Are you high on any prospects likely to be called up soon?
(Andrew from Las Vegas)
Yup, I like all three. You can also keep an eye on guys like Mike Moustakas, Jemile Weeks, Yonder Alonso, Anthony Rizzo, Lonnie Chisenhall, and a number of others. (Derek Carty)
2011-05-18 13:00:00 (link to chat)Aside from Harper, Trout, Montero & Brown, and with Hosmer, Hellockson, Chaoman & Teheran now in the majors, who occupies the remaining spots in the Top 10 at this point.
(commish from nyc)
While I should defer to Kevin Goldstein on this question, I'd have to say Mike Moustakas is right there with those guys. That's five. Then let's say John Lamb, Jameson Taillon, Matt Moore and Shelby Miller. (John Perrotto)
2011-02-22 13:00:00 (link to chat)Could Mike Moustakas be the opening day 3B for the Royals, with a great spring?
(Markus from NYC)
Sure. (Jason Parks)
2011-01-12 13:00:00 (link to chat)I have the 1st overall pick in this years draft out of a 16 team, H2H, 7 holdover league. I'm debating over which minors prospect might be the best one to select. I'm currently looking at: Bryce Harper, Mike Trout, Mike Moustakas, Dustin Ackley, Julio Teheran. I also realize that some of these are obviously closer to the Majors than others, or should that not be my only requirement?
(Bill from New York)
I'm far from the fantasy expert here, having given that up years ago (too much of a good thing), and you don't need Kevin Goldstein to tell you those are all great prospects. Harper is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of talent, but obviously he has no real track record as of yet. I love Trout because of his range of skills and would probably go for him just on that basis even if you won't see him for awhile, and I figure Ackley to be the most speculative of the bunch. Moustakas is probably the safest short-term play, even though I'm certain that the Royals will delay/screw up/botch his promotion in some way. They'll probably block him by luring Ruben Sierra out of retirement, or something like that. (Steven Goldman)
2010-11-02 13:00:00 (link to chat)Why would the Royals be interested in Chris Davis? They have a logjam at first base / DH as it is, Eric Hosmer is waiting in the wings, and third base will belong to Mike Moustakas starting some time in 2011.
(chris from MN)
They wouldn't be. I used them to illustrate how there aren't going to be many takers for Davis, and even then, a usual suspect in similar situations like the Royals wouldn't give anything up to get him. Then again -- why do the Royals do anything they do? (Eric Seidman)
2010-10-25 13:00:00 (link to chat)From an overall hitting standpoint who has a better career... Mike Moustakas, or Lonnie Chisenhall? Mike Moustakas is one of the best power hitting minor leaguers while a lot of people like Lonnie's overall game... what do you see for a future for both of these players? Thanks
(Colin from Longmeadow, MA)
Obviously, this is more a KG question than a CK question, but I'm more enthusiastic about Moustakas while liking both. The problem is whether or not the Royals fall into another way to handicap the kid's career and achieve incremental growth instead of greatness, a la Gordon or Butler or Ka'aihue or... (Christina Kahrl)
2010-09-21 13:00:00 (link to chat)I think the next "Moose" will be Mike Moustakas...
(Chris from cube farm)
You're probably right. It's too bad he isn't Canadian, eh? (Marc Normandin)
2010-09-21 13:00:00 (link to chat)Let's talk dynasty leagues.... Long term, Gordon Beckham or Mike Moustakas, assuming I have nothing useful at either position going forward.
(achaik from Maine)
I'm not 100% on how good Moustakas is going to be, but I know with Beckham I have had to mull this over for one of my own teams. His second half has been excellent, and he worked on his swing midseason with the hitting coach and got immediate results, so it should be safe to keep him. (Marc Normandin)
2010-06-02 13:00:00 (link to chat)Please rank the following in the order in which you think they will make their big league debuts: Mike Moustakas; Pedro Alvarez; Logan Morrison; Freddie Freeman; Madison Bumgarner; Jeremy Hellickson. Does anyone in this group make a significant fantasy impact in 2010?
(Chillin' from Waiver Wire)
I'm not terribly good at this kind of thing, but what the heck:

Alvarez, Moustakas, Hellickson, Morrison, Bumgarner, Freeman

I think the first three will see at least a sprinkling of big league time this year. The others I'm not so sure about. (Tommy Bennett)
2010-03-26 13:00:00 (link to chat)I like the line about Joba in K.C., but what's the series of events that you think lands him there? It's a little hard to imagine what K.C. has that Cashman would want/need. David DeJesus?
(Dan from Brooklyn)
Oh, I don't know. Maybe Cashman has a mancrush on Aaron Crow and is convinced that Mike Moustakas is the heir apparent to Derek Jeter after he tears up Double-A pitching this year while moving back to short. Plus he thinks that the George Brett statue would look great in his office. (Jay Jaffe)
2008-09-24 14:00:00 (link to chat)Any reason Mike Moustakas wasn't sent to the instructional league? Is there a better third base prospect?
(Corey from L-Ville)
He played a long year, was healthy all year, had a great second half and there are only so many spots, even for instructs. Don't read too much into it. (Kevin Goldstein)
2008-08-13 14:00:00 (link to chat)whats your take on royals 3B Mike Moustakas?solid regular? All-star?
(nick from albuquerque)
The more I see him, the more I like him, and after a slow start, he's be arguably the most dangerous hitter in the Midwest League. I think he's a stud. (Kevin Goldstein)
2008-08-13 14:00:00 (link to chat)Kevin, there's been plenty of talk about Mike Moustakas lately, but are you intrigued by either of his teammates at Burlington, Johnny Giovatella or Jason Taylor?
(BL from Bozeman, MT)
Taylor does pretty much nothing for me. 20 years old, kind of a dumpy body, and a lot of lunging at the plate. Obviously, Giavotella doesn't have a ton of tools, but you really only need one game to fall in love the way he plays. (Kevin Goldstein)
2008-07-07 13:00:00 (link to chat)The Royals appear to have moved Mike Moustakas to third base, and he has hit the ball better in the last two months. What do you see from him offensively as he advances through the system?
(BL from Bozeman, MT)
I saw him at third last week here at Kane County and while he wasn't tested there, he looked more comfortable during BP there and of course, the arm is huge so it's worth a try. He still needs to make some adjustments offensively, especially with breaking stuff, but the power and bat speed are massive. (Kevin Goldstein)
2008-06-06 13:00:00 (link to chat) As a Royals fan it is hard for me to be patient for high school guys. Mike Moustakas looks like a great talent, but I believe the Royals need to take a college bat (Posey/Alvarez). What are the chances and upside of the Royals selecting Eric Hosmer?
(jeffn411 from Lawrence, KS)
Be patient. Hosmer is a special player, but yes, Posey also would have been a defendable pick there. You can complain about Alvarez though, because he wasn't there for them. You also can't complain about not getting a college bat last year, as remember, that was a different animal. Only two college bats went in the first 12 picks, and one of them (LaPorta) was a surprise. (Kevin Goldstein)


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