Brian William Moran (born September 30, 1988) is an American

professional baseball Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world. Modern professional ...

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw ...

in the

Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The Braves were founded in Bos ...

organization. Moran played

college baseball College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. In comparison to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a smaller role in developing professional p ...

at the

University of North Carolina The University of North Carolina is the multi-campus public university system for the state of North Carolina. Overseeing the state's 16 public universities and the NC School of Science and Mathematics, it is commonly referred to as the UNC Sy ...

. He was drafted by the

Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The team joined the American League as an expansion team ...

in the seventh round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft. He made his

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...

(MLB) debut in 2019 with the Miami Marlins (for whom he's played in two separate stints) and has also played for the

Toronto Blue Jays The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Since 1989, the team has played its home games ...

and

Los Angeles Angels The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since 1966, the team h ...

Amateur career

Moran attended

Iona Preparatory School Iona Preparatory School, or simply Iona Prep, is an independent, Roman Catholic, all-male, college-preparatory school located in the north end of New Rochelle, New York, in suburban Westchester County. It consists of the Upper School for Grade ...

in New Rochelle, New York, where he played on the school's baseball team. Moran pitched and played first base. During his

junior Junior or Juniors may refer to: Arts and entertainment Music * ''Junior'' (Junior Mance album), 1959 * ''Junior'' (Röyksopp album), 2009 * ''Junior'' (Kaki King album), 2010 * ''Junior'' (LaFontaines album), 2019 Films * ''Junior'' (1994 ...

year, Moran was named all-county honorable mention. In his

season, he was named the team's most valuable player and was the county player of the year. During the summers at Iona Prep, Moran played baseball with the ProSwing Pride. In 2007, Moran began attending the

and played on the school's baseball team as a pitcher. In his first year at North Carolina, Moran compiled a 3.37

earned run average In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the average of earned runs allowed by a pitcher per nine innings pitched (i.e. the traditional length of a game). It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number ...

(ERA), and seven strikeouts in 13 games, all in

relief Relief is a sculptural method in which the sculpted pieces are bonded to a solid background of the same material. The term '' relief'' is from the Latin verb ''relevo'', to raise. To create a sculpture in relief is to give the impression that th ...

. During his second season, Moran compiled a 1–2 record with a 2.76 ERA, two saves, and 72 strikeouts in 40 games, all in relief. In 2009, Moran went 7–1 with a 2.31 ERA, four saves, and 90 strikeouts in 36 games. He was a third-team All-American selection after the season. Moran summed up his time at North Carolina by saying, "It was a dream come true – I can still not believe it that I will not be going back. It was an unbelievable three years. It was everything I could have hoped it could be. I made a lot of good friends and the coaches were awesome. It was an unbelievable experience."

Professional career

Seattle Mariners

Moran was selected by the

in the seventh round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft. He said this about being drafted by Seattle: "I was actually at practice and a lot of the guys shouted down to the bullpen to let me know. Then all the sudden my phone started to get a lot of calls from people saying congratulations. It was pretty cool." He was the first left-handed pitcher taken in the 2009 draft by the Mariners. Dustin Ackley and Kyle Seager, Moran's teammates at North Carolina, were also drafted by the Mariners in 2009. After being drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2009, Moran officially signed on June 26, 2009, receiving a US$140,000 signing bonus. He was signed by scout Rob Mammau. Moran made his professional debut in their minor league organization that season with the rookie-level

Pulaski Mariners Pulaski may refer to: Places * Pulaski Heights, a section of the city of Little Rock, Arkansas * Pulaski Shoal, an underwater landform west of the Florida Keys * Pulaski, Georgia, a town * Pulaski Square, one of the "Squares of Savannah" in th ...

. He went 1–0 with a 3.72 ERA, two saves, and 14 strikeouts in six games, all in relief with Pulaski. Moran was then promoted to the Class-A

Clinton LumberKings The Clinton LumberKings are a collegiate summer baseball team of the Prospect League. They are located in Clinton, Iowa, and play their home games at NelsonCorp Field. From 1956 to 2020, they were members of Minor League Baseball's Midwest Leag ...

of the

Midwest League The Midwest League is a Minor League Baseball league established in 1947 and based in the Midwestern United States. A Class A league for most of its history, the league was promoted to High-A as part of Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganizat ...

. With the LumberKings, he went 0–3 with a 2.89 ERA, and 17 strikeouts in 12 games. Between the two clubs in 2009, Moran compiled a 1–3 record with a 3.18 ERA, two saves, and 31 strikeouts in 28 innings pitched. Moran started the 2010 season with the Class-A Clinton LumberKings. Moran was used as a

setup pitcher In baseball, a setup man (or set-up man, also sometimes referred to as a setup pitcher or setup reliever) is a relief pitcher who regularly pitches before the closer. They commonly pitch the eighth inning, with the closer pitching the ninth. As ...

during his time at the Class-A level. He was a league all-star that season. Before the all-star break, Moran led Midwest League pitchers in

bases on balls per nine innings pitched In baseball statistics, bases on balls per nine innings pitched (BB/9IP or BB/9) or walks per nine innings (denoted by W/9) is the average number of bases on balls, (or walks) given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by m ...

(0.93). He praised the development of his

split-finger fastball A split-finger fastball or splitter is an off-speed pitch in baseball that looks to the batter like a fastball until it drops suddenly. Derived from the forkball, it is so named because the pitcher puts the index and middle finger on different s ...

as reason for his success in 2010. It was noted that he was "great friends" with his former University of North Carolina teammate and then-LumberKings teammate Kyle Seager. With the LumberKings that season, Moran went 4–1 with a 1.34 ERA, three saves, and 48 strikeouts in 22 games, all in relief. He was then promoted the Class-A Advanced level to play with the

High Desert Mavericks The High Desert Mavericks were an American Minor League Baseball team in Adelanto, California, that played their home games at Heritage Field at Stater Bros. Stadium. They played in the Class A-Advanced California League. The franchise had eigh ...

of the California League. With High Desert, Moran went 2–0 with a 1.42 ERA, one save, and 29 strikeouts in 17 games, all in relief. Finally that season, Moran played with the Double-A

West Tenn Diamond Jaxx The Jackson Generals were a professional baseball team located in Jackson, Tennessee. From 1998 to 2020, they were a part of Minor League Baseball's Southern League (SL) as the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs (1998–2006), Seattle Mari ...

of the Southern League, compiling a 13.50 ERA in two games. Between the three clubs, Moran went 6–1 with a 1.73 ERA, four saves, and 78 strikeouts in 67 innings pitched. Kyle Seager, Moran's teammate with the Clinton LumberKings, described his pitching delivery as a " shot put" release. Moran has stated that he developed his split-finger fast ball out of college, and that it has been effective in professional baseball. He was selected by the

on December 12, 2013, in the 2013 Rule 5 draft and then traded to the

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since 1966, the team h ...

. On April 8, it was announced that Moran would undergo Tommy John surgery and would miss the entire 2014 season, meaning that Rule 5 restrictions will apply to him in 2015. The Angels returned him to the Mariners on October 30, 2014. He was selected in the Rule 5 draft in 2015 by the

Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. Since , they have played at Progressive Fi ...

but again returned to the Mariners.

Bridgeport Bluefish

On April 7, 2016, Moran signed with the

Bridgeport Bluefish The Bridgeport Bluefish were an American minor league baseball team based in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The team was a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which was not affiliated with Major League Baseba ...

of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

Atlanta Braves

On August 10, 2016, the

signed Moran to a minor league contract.

Baltimore Orioles

At the 2016

Winter Meetings Representatives of all 30 Major League Baseball teams and their 120 Minor League Baseball affiliates convene for four days each December in the Winter Meetings to discuss league business and conduct off-season trades and transactions. Attendees in ...

, the

Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. As one of the American League's eight charter ...

selected Moran from the Braves in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.

Second stint with Bridgeport

On April 11, 2017, Moran signed again with the Bridgeport Bluefish.

Los Angeles Dodgers

He ended the season with the Tulsa Drillers in the

Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...

organization On November 1, 2017, Moran was drafted by the

Sugar Land Skeeters The Sugar Land Space Cowboys are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros Major League Baseball club. They are located in Sugar Land, Texas, part of the Greater Houston metr ...

in the

dispersal draft. On July 14, 2018, Moran was released by the Dodgers.

Colorado Rockies

On July 15, 2018, Moran signed a minor league with the Colorado Rockies. He became a free agent after the season ended.

Miami Marlins

On November 12, 2018, Moran signed a minor league deal with the Miami Marlins with an invite to spring training. He was assigned to Triple-A New Orleans to start the 2019 season. On September 3, the Marlins selected Moran's contract and promoted him to the major leagues. Moran made his major league debut on September 5 versus the Pittsburgh Pirates, pitching one scoreless inning in relief while striking out one batter and earning the win. The strikeout was of his brother Colin. The Moran brother match up was the first time since 1900 that a brother faced off against his sibling in his major league debut. Moran was designated for assignment on January 15, 2020, and released on January 17.

Toronto Blue Jays

On February 7, 2020, Moran signed a minor league deal with the

. He made his Blue Jays debut on July 25, recording two outs.

Second stint with Marlins

On August 2, 2020, Moran was claimed off waivers by the Miami Marlins. On October 28, 2020, after being activated from the 60-day injured list, Moran was

designated for assignment Designated for assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB). A player who is designated for assignment is immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster, after which the team must within seven days, return the pla ...

—which he rejected—and became a free agent.

Tampa Bay Rays

On February 12, 2021, Moran signed a minor league contract with the

Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Since its inception, the team's home v ...

organization that included an invitation to Spring Training. Moran spent the year with the Triple-A

Durham Bulls The Durham Bulls are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. They are located in Durham, North Carolina, and play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, which opened ...

, posting a 2.16 ERA with 65 strikeouts in 53 appearances. He elected free agency following the season on November 7.

Los Angeles Angels

On November 24, 2021, Moran signed a minor league contract with the

. On April 10, 2022, the Angels selected Moran's contract and added him to the active roster to replace the injured José Quijada. On April 18, 2022, the Angels designated Moran for assignment. On April 21, Moran was sent outright to the Triple-A

Salt Lake Bees The Salt Lake Bees are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. They are located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and play their home games at Smith's Ballpark. The ballpark o ...

. Spending the remainder of the season with Triple-A Salt Lake, Moran appeared in 45 games, pitching to a 5-2 record and 4.07 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 48.2 innings of work.

Atlanta Braves (second stint)

On January 30, 2023, Moran signed a minor league contract with the

organization.

Personal life

Moran's brother,

Colin Moran Colin Richard Moran (born October 1, 1992) is an American professional baseball third baseman who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in MLB for the Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds. Moran attended the Univ ...

, is a professional baseball

third baseman A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball or softball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. In the scoring system us ...

. His uncles,

Rich Rich may refer to: Common uses * Rich, an entity possessing wealth * Rich, an intense flavor, color, sound, texture, or feeling **Rich (wine), a descriptor in wine tasting Places United States * Rich, Mississippi, an unincorporated commun ...

and B. J. Surhoff, played in

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Moran, Brian 1988 births Living people People from Port Chester, New York People from Westchester County, New York Baseball players from New York (state) Major League Baseball pitchers Miami Marlins players Toronto Blue Jays players Los Angeles Angels players North Carolina Tar Heels baseball players Pulaski Mariners players Clinton LumberKings players High Desert Mavericks players West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx players Jackson Generals (Southern League) players Peoria Javelinas players Tacoma Rainiers players Bridgeport Bluefish players Tulsa Drillers players Oklahoma City Dodgers players Hartford Yard Goats players New Orleans Baby Cakes players Durham Bulls players Salt Lake Bees players Iona Preparatory School alumni