Brandon Moss, a left-handed power hitter, spent a decade in Major League Baseball, making his presence felt with several teams. His journey began when he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the eighth round of the 2002 MLB Draft. Moss made his major league debut with the Red Sox in 2007, showcasing his potential as a reliable hitter. However, his time in Boston was brief, as he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2008 as part of a three-team deal that included Manny Ramirez and Jason Bay.
In Pittsburgh, Moss struggled to find consistency at the plate, which led to his release in 2010. He then signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, but his stint there was short-lived. It wasn't until he joined the Oakland Athletics in 2012 that Moss truly found his stride. With the Athletics, he became a regular in the lineup and demonstrated his power-hitting capabilities. In 2012, Moss hit 21 home runs in just 84 games, solidifying his role as a key player for Oakland.
Moss continued to be a vital part of the Athletics' lineup over the next two seasons. In 2013, he hit 30 home runs and drove in 87 runs, earning him a spot in the Home Run Derby during the All-Star break. The following year, he was selected for the All-Star Game, further establishing himself as a formidable power hitter. His tenure with the Athletics culminated in a memorable performance during the 2014 American League Wild Card Game, where he hit two home runs and drove in five runs, although the team ultimately lost to the Kansas City Royals.
Following the 2014 season, Moss was traded to the Cleveland Indians. His time in Cleveland was marred by injuries, and he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals midway through the 2015 season. With the Cardinals, Moss regained some of his power, hitting 28 home runs in 2016. However, his batting average remained a concern, and he became a free agent after the season.
In 2017, Moss signed with the Kansas City Royals, where he played his final season in the majors. He continued to display his power-hitting ability, but his struggles with consistency at the plate persisted. After the 2017 season, Moss was traded back to the Athletics but was released before the start of the 2018 season, effectively ending his major league career.
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