Matthew Cody Moore, known as Matt Moore, is a left-handed pitcher who made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Tampa Bay Rays. Born on June 18, 1989, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Moore's journey to the majors began when he was drafted by the Rays in the eighth round of the 2007 MLB Draft. His early career was marked by a rapid ascent through the minor leagues, where he quickly gained attention for his impressive pitching skills.
Moore's major league debut came on September 14, 2011, against the Baltimore Orioles. He made an immediate impression with his powerful fastball and sharp breaking pitches. In his first start, Moore struck out 11 New York Yankees batters over five innings, showcasing his potential as a future ace. His performance in the 2011 postseason further solidified his reputation, as he pitched seven scoreless innings against the Texas Rangers in the American League Division Series.
The 2012 season was Moore's first full year in the majors, and he did not disappoint. He finished the season with an 11-11 record and a 3.81 ERA, earning a spot on the American League All-Star team. Moore's ability to strike out batters was a highlight of his game, as he recorded 175 strikeouts in 177.1 innings pitched. His performance helped the Rays remain competitive in the AL East, and he was recognized as one of the league's promising young pitchers.
In 2013, Moore continued to build on his early success. He posted a 17-4 record with a 3.29 ERA, earning another All-Star selection. His 17 wins were among the best in the league, and he played a crucial role in the Rays' push for the postseason. However, Moore's career faced a setback in 2014 when he underwent Tommy John surgery after just two starts. The surgery sidelined him for the remainder of the season and part of 2015.
Moore returned to the mound in July 2015, but his performance was inconsistent as he worked to regain his pre-surgery form. Despite the challenges, he showed flashes of his previous dominance, finishing the season with a 3-4 record and a 5.43 ERA. In 2016, Moore was traded to the San Francisco Giants, where he made an immediate impact. He nearly pitched a no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers in August, losing it with two outs in the ninth inning. Moore ended the season with a combined 13-12 record and a 4.08 ERA between the Rays and Giants.
The following years saw Moore struggle to find consistency. In 2017, he posted a 6-15 record with a 5.52 ERA for the Giants. He was traded to the Texas Rangers in December 2017, but his struggles continued in 2018, as he finished with a 3-8 record and a 6.79 ERA. Moore signed with the Detroit Tigers for the 2019 season, but an early-season knee injury limited him to just two starts.
In 2020, Moore took his talents overseas, signing with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in Japan. He found success in Japan, helping the Hawks win the Japan Series. Moore returned to MLB in 2021, signing a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. He served as both a starter and reliever, finishing the season with a 2-4 record and a 6.29 ERA.
Throughout his career, Moore demonstrated flashes of brilliance, particularly in his early years with the Rays.
⚾