Christian Moore selected in first round of 2024 MLB Draft

Christian Moore is off the board, becoming the first player from Tennessee’s national championship team to hear his name called in the 2024 MLB Draft!

On Sunday night, Moore was selected at No. 8 overall, becoming a top-10 pick for the Los Angeles Angels. Chase Burns, Moore’s teammate with the Vols in 2023 who transferred to Wake Forest, was selected No. 2 overall.

Burns is also the 4th SEC player selected in the top 8, joining Georgia’s Charlie Condon, Arkansas’ Hagen Smith and Florida’s Jac Caglianone.

With the 8th pick in the 2024 #MLBDraft, we have selected INF Christian Moore from University of Tennessee.

Welcome to the Angels, Christian! pic.twitter.com/ezinhKvd46

— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) July 14, 2024

Moore was a key contributor to Tennessee’s elite offense this past season, finishing with 34 home runs, 83 runs scored and a 1.248 OPS as a second baseman. He saved some of his best performances for the NCAA Tournament, including a record night in Omaha.

In the College World Series opener against Florida State, Moore hit for the cycle and sparked an epic comeback for the Vols. It was just the 2nd cycle in CWS history.

Moore gave a special shoutout to head coach Tony Vitello shortly after his selection with Vitello in the building as a part of MLB Network’s draft coverage.

Coach Vitello’s reaction to Christian Moore getting drafted. #NCAABaseball x @MLBNetworkPR x #MLBDraftpic.twitter.com/MStPkVHISG

— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) July 15, 2024

RELATED: What does the future hold for Tennessee athletics? Find the best and latest odds for all things Vols with SDS’s Tennessee sports betting apps.

A handful of people noted the recent track record of the Angels’ front office and recent moves to progress some prospects through the minor leagues at a quick pace. That means Moore could find himself in MLB sooner rather than later if he balls out in the minors.

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.