The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Your highlight from the week Amherst pitcher drafted
Xavier Moore now a Texas Ranger
In the days since being drafted by the Texas Rangers, Xavier Moore’s life has been a whirlwind.
Now, the Amherst standout is prepared for life to get even crazier after forgoing a scholarship to Ohio State and signing with the Rangers.
“It feels great,” Moore said. “I’m ready to go. I’m ready to take on the challenge.”
Moore will pack his bags and head to Arizona to report for camp June 19 before joining the AZL Rangers — after his graduation party June 17, of course.
“Everything is just going good,” Moore said. “It’s a great journey. It’s stressful, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Moore, a right-handed pitcher, was drafted June 14 by the Rangers in the 16th round with the 494th overall pick — the first high schooler out of Ohio to be chosen in 2017 MLB Draft and the firstever Amherst player selected out of high school.
After getting the initial call from the Rangers, Moore looked at his situation as a win-win — a scholarship to play baseball and continue his education at Ohio State or a chance to get his professional career started early.
“What went into the decisionmaking process was what came with the offer,” Moore said. “Obviously you get a signing bonus, but what sealed the deal for me was that I’ll get money towards college after baseball because education is big to me and my family.
“My mom said, ‘It’s not like you’re just going to play baseball and have nothing to fall back on now.’ For me, it’s not about money, it’s about doing something I’ve wanted to do since I was seven years old. Now I get to start my journey a little early.”
Among the calls and texts of well wishes that have flooded his phone since the draft, the most important may have been from Rangers outfielder and fellow Amherst alum, Ryan Rua, who called Moore to offer congratulations and some insight into what it’s like playing in the Rangers’ organization.
Rua was drafted in 2011 after three years at Lake Erie College.
“I talked to Ryan Rua and he backed up my decision,” Moore said. “He saw I got drafted, texted me about it and I gave him a call that day.
“We talked and he was telling me about the farm system. He told me if I go there and take care of business I’ll have a chance. It’s the people that lose focus who don’t make it. So because of him, to have a guy from Amherst who has been in that position and succeeded, he said he thinks I should do it, to do what my heart tells me to do and that’s what my heart told me to do.”
Nevertheless, it was difficult for Moore to break the news to the Ohio State coaches, a group that has supported him since committing to the Buckeyes in 2015.
“It was tough,” Moore said. “I called my (Ohio State) coaches, let them know what’s going on. That was definitely tough. I committed (to Ohio State) at the end of my sophomore year, so I’ve been there and had that commitment for two years, but at the end of the day you have to do what’s best for you and your family, and my family is backing me up.”
“The support has been crazy. That just shows you the community Amherst has and the community Lorain has. Everyone has been on my side saying they’ll be rooting for me.” Xavier Moore
But, for the most part, it’s been nothing but positive for Moore since announcing his signing. From his former teammates at Lorain to his fellow Comets, he has certainly felt the love which has only strengthened his drive to prove himself as a professional ball player.
“The support has been crazy,” Moore said. “That just shows you the community Amherst has and the community Lorain has. Everyone has been on my side saying they’ll be rooting for me.
“Everybody gets told you have to hang up your jersey sooner or later, but I want to have a long career. God has a plan for me and if I follow that plan, good things are going to happen. I’m going to go down there, work out, get stronger, and work on being a pitcher, not a thrower. I’m going to go about being a professional and doing things the professional way.”