Mike Moustakas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mike Moustakas |
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Moustakas with the Kansas City Royals in 2018
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| Free agent | |||
| Third baseman | |||
| Born: September 11, 1988 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| June 10, 2011, for the Kansas City Royals | |||
| MLB statistics (through 2023 season) |
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| Batting average | .247 | ||
| Hits | 1,252 | ||
| Home runs | 215 | ||
| Runs batted in | 683 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Michael Christopher Moustakas, born on September 11, 1988, is a talented American professional baseball player. He plays as a third baseman. He's played for several teams in Major League Baseball (MLB), including the Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, and Los Angeles Angels.
Moustakas was picked very early in the 2007 MLB draft by the Royals. He was the second player chosen overall! Fans and media often call him "Moose". This fun nickname was first given to him by his coach when he was just a kid playing little league baseball.
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Early Life and High School Baseball
Mike Moustakas grew up in Los Angeles, California. He went to Chatsworth High School and was a star baseball player for four years. His team had an amazing record of 124 wins and only 11 losses! They won four league championships and two city titles.
Mike was even named "Player of the Year" twice by Cal-Hi Sports. He hit 52 home runs during his high school career, which is a record for California.
He tried playing football in high school too, but a broken ankle ended that dream. Luckily, after three months of hard work, he was back on the baseball field. In 2006, he played for the USA Baseball Junior National Team in Cuba. In 2007, Baseball America named him their High School Player of the Year. This is a big honor! Mike was offered a scholarship to USC, but he decided to go straight into the MLB draft instead.
Professional Baseball Career
Starting in the Minor Leagues
The Kansas City Royals chose Moustakas as the second overall pick in the 2007 draft. He signed with them in August 2007. He got a signing bonus of $4 million! His high school teammate, Matt Dominguez, was also picked in the first round. This was a rare event for high school teammates.
By 2009, many experts thought Moustakas was one of the best young players in minor league baseball. He was ranked among the top prospects. He worked hard and improved his game. In 2010, he was hitting very well in Double-A ball. He then moved up to Triple-A. That year, he was named the Texas League Player of the Year. He even hit three home runs and had 11 RBIs in one game! Mike also won the Joe Bauman Home Run Award for hitting the most home runs in the minor leagues.
Playing for the Kansas City Royals
Mike Moustakas joined the Kansas City Royals in 2011. He made his first MLB appearance on June 10, 2011. He got his first major league hit against Ervin Santana. In his first season, he played in 89 games, hitting five home runs and 30 RBIs.
In 2012, Moustakas set a new team record. He played 47 games in a row without making an error! He also made 41 double plays, which was a lot for a third baseman. He finished the year with 20 home runs and 73 RBIs.
The 2014 season started a bit tough for Mike. But he got better after being called back up from Triple-A. He ended the season with 15 home runs. Mike really shined in the 2014 postseason. He hit five home runs, more than any other player in the playoffs! The Royals made it to the 2014 World Series, but they lost to the San Francisco Giants.
In 2015, Moustakas continued his great play. He was chosen for the 2015 All-Star Game. On September 12, he had an amazing game against the Baltimore Orioles. He hit a grand slam, a three-run home run, and a two-run single. He ended up with 9 RBIs in that game, which was a new Royals record! That year, he hit 22 home runs and had 82 RBIs. The Royals went on to win the 2015 World Series against the New York Mets. This was the team's first championship in 30 years!
In 2016, Mike had some bad luck with injuries. He fractured his thumb and then tore a ligament in his knee. This ended his season early.
Mike came back strong in 2017. He was voted into the All-Star Game again. On July 28, he hit his 30th home run of the season. He became the fastest Royal to reach that many home runs in a season. He finished the year with 38 home runs, setting a new single-season record for the Royals! After the 2017 season, he became a free agent. He signed a new one-year deal with the Royals in March 2018.
Moving to the Milwaukee Brewers
On July 28, 2018, the Royals traded Moustakas to the Milwaukee Brewers. He continued to play well for the Brewers. On October 4, 2018, he hit a game-winning single in the 10th inning of a playoff game. This helped the Brewers win Game 1 of the NLDS. The Brewers won that series but lost in the next round. Mike became a free agent again after the season. He re-signed with the Brewers for another year in February 2019.
Playing for the Cincinnati Reds
In December 2019, Moustakas signed a four-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds. This was the biggest free agent deal in the Reds' history! In 2020, he hit 8 home runs and had 27 RBIs. He wore number 9 for the Reds because his usual number 8 was retired for a famous player named Joe Morgan.
Mike had more injury troubles in 2021. He was on the injured list for a heel injury for a long time. He still played in 62 games that year. In 2022, he hit his 200th career home run on July 10. He played in 78 games for the Reds that season.
Time with the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Angels
In March 2023, Moustakas signed a contract with the Colorado Rockies. He played well in spring training and made the team's Opening Day roster. On June 24, 2023, the Rockies traded Moustakas to the Los Angeles Angels. He played 65 games for the Angels, hitting 8 home runs and 31 RBIs.
Chicago White Sox
In February 2024, Moustakas signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox. However, he was released in March after not making the team's main roster.
Personal Life
Mike Moustakas was born in Los Angeles on September 11, 1988. His dad, Mike Sr., used to play college football for UCLA. Mike is of Greek descent; his grandfather was born in Greece. He even flew a Greek flag above his locker when he played for the Royals! His uncle, Tom Robson, was also an MLB player and helped Mike with hitting tips when he was young. Sadly, Mike's mother passed away in 2015 after a long illness.
When he's not playing baseball, Mike enjoys golf and fishing. He once said he would be interested in being a firefighter if he wasn't a baseball player.
Mike and his wife, Stephanie, got married in 2014. They have three daughters and a son. They also have an Australian shepherd dog named Gus. During the offseason, they live in Malibu, California.
