Chad Moeller
Encyclopedia
Chad Edward Moeller [MOE-ler] (born February 18, 1975 in Upland, California
) is a Major League Baseball
catcher
for the Colorado Rockies
organization. He is the cousin of former MLB first baseman
Chris Cron
.
(USC). In 1996, he was an All-Pac 10 selection and from 1994-1996 was teammates with former Astros infielder
, Aaron Boone
. He was drafted in the 7th round (187th overall) of the 1996 Major League Baseball Draft by the Minnesota Twins
.
(2001–2003), Milwaukee Brewers
(2004–2006), Cincinnati Reds
(2007), and Los Angeles Dodgers
(2007).
In four seasons with Minnesota and Arizona, Moeller batted
.254 with 11 home run
s, 56 RBI
, 31 doubles
, 4 triples
, and two stolen base
s in 188 games.
When he was with the Brewers, Moeller was used increasingly only for calling games with staff ace
Ben Sheets
. He did however hit for the cycle on April 27, 2004. He was the first Brewer to hit for the cycle at home, and the first since Paul Molitor
did it on May 15, 1991 at Minnesota.
.
Just prior to the 2006 All-Star
break, Moeller was designated for assignment by the Brewers, primarily due to his low batting average (.184). After clearing waivers he joined the Triple-A Nashville Sounds
. Moeller began the 2007 season with the Cincinnati Reds. After splitting time between Cincinnati and the Triple-A Louisville Bats
, he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for cash considerations on August 11, 2007.
contract with an invitation to spring training
with the Washington Nationals
. He was released by the Nationals on March 10, 2008, and signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees
the same day. The Yankees purchased his contract on April 14 following injuries to Jorge Posada
and José Molina. On April 25, 2008, he was designated for assignment because it had been thought that Posada would be able to play through his injury. Posada, however, was placed on the 15-day disabled list
on April 28, and the Yankees added Moeller back to the active roster upon clearing assignment waivers on April 30. He remained on the active roster following Posada's return from the disabled list, but was again designated for assignment on July 31 following the acquisition of Iván Rodríguez
. He cleared waivers and returned to Triple-A Scranton. While with the Yankees, Moeller played third
and first base twice each, the first time in his career he played a position other than catcher. Moeller rejoined the Yankees on September 1, when the rosters expanded from 25 to 40. Moeller became a free agent after the season.
Moeller signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles
on December 12, 2008, and made its Opening Day roster as a backup catcher. After batting .200 with a .259 on-base percentage in fifteen games, he was designated for assignment on May 29 when the Orioles promoted top catching prospect Matt Wieters
from the Triple-A Norfolk Tides
. Moeller cleared waivers
five days later and was assigned to the Tides. Moeller was recalled to Baltimore on August 7 when the Orioles traded catcher Gregg Zaun
to the Tampa Bay Rays
.
On April 3, Moeller signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees
. On May 20 he was called up to the major league roster to back up Francisco Cervelli
after another injury to Posada. He played his first game of the season on May 29, starting against the Cleveland Indians
. On June 21, Moeller was designated for assignment to clear room on the roster for outfielder Colin Curtis
, returning to the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees on June 26. He was called up again on September 1.
Upland, California
Upland is a city in San Bernardino County, California, located at an elevation of 1,242 feet . As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 73,732, up from 68,393 at the 2000 census. It was incorporated on May 15, 1906, after previously being named North Ontario.-History and culture:Upland...
) is a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
for the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
organization. He is the cousin of former MLB first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
Chris Cron
Chris Cron
Christopher John Cron was a Major League Baseball first baseman. He is the cousin of Major League Baseball player Chad Moeller....
.
College career
Moeller attended the University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
(USC). In 1996, he was an All-Pac 10 selection and from 1994-1996 was teammates with former Astros infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
, Aaron Boone
Aaron Boone
Aaron John Boone is a former Major League Baseball infielder whose famous home run off Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield won the 2003 American League Championship Series for the New York Yankees. He played for the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Florida Marlins, Washington...
. He was drafted in the 7th round (187th overall) of the 1996 Major League Baseball Draft by the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
.
Professional career
Previously, Moeller played with the Minnesota Twins (2000), Arizona DiamondbacksArizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
(2001–2003), Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(2004–2006), Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(2007), and Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
(2007).
In four seasons with Minnesota and Arizona, Moeller batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.254 with 11 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, 56 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
, 31 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 4 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, and two stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s in 188 games.
When he was with the Brewers, Moeller was used increasingly only for calling games with staff ace
Ace (baseball)
In baseball, an ace is the best starting pitcher of any team and nearly always the first pitcher in his starting rotation. Barring injury or exceptional circumstances, an ace usually always starts on Opening Day...
Ben Sheets
Ben Sheets
Ben M. Sheets is an American baseball starting pitcher who is currently a free agent. He is a four-time All-Star, but has been hampered with injury problems throughout his career.-Prep and college:...
. He did however hit for the cycle on April 27, 2004. He was the first Brewer to hit for the cycle at home, and the first since Paul Molitor
Paul Molitor
Paul Leo Molitor , nicknamed "Molly" and "The Ignitor", is an American former Major League Baseball designated hitter and infielder. During his 21-year baseball career, he played for the Milwaukee Brewers , Toronto Blue Jays , and Minnesota Twins...
did it on May 15, 1991 at Minnesota.
2006-07 seasons
In January 2006, Moeller was named to the USA's provisional roster for the 2006 World Baseball ClassicWorld Baseball Classic
The World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation and created by Major League Baseball , the Major League Baseball Players Association , and other professional baseball leagues and their players associations around the world...
.
Just prior to the 2006 All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
break, Moeller was designated for assignment by the Brewers, primarily due to his low batting average (.184). After clearing waivers he joined the Triple-A Nashville Sounds
Nashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds are a minor league baseball team of the Pacific Coast League , and the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the city's association with the music industry...
. Moeller began the 2007 season with the Cincinnati Reds. After splitting time between Cincinnati and the Triple-A Louisville Bats
Louisville Bats
The Louisville Bats, which play in Louisville, Kentucky, are the AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The team, formerly known as the Louisville RiverBats, plays in the International League...
, he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for cash considerations on August 11, 2007.
2008 season
On November 27, 2007, Moeller signed a Minor LeagueMinor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
contract with an invitation to spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
with the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
. He was released by the Nationals on March 10, 2008, and signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
the same day. The Yankees purchased his contract on April 14 following injuries to Jorge Posada
Jorge Posada
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He served as the Yankees primary catcher for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter for...
and José Molina. On April 25, 2008, he was designated for assignment because it had been thought that Posada would be able to play through his injury. Posada, however, was placed on the 15-day disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
on April 28, and the Yankees added Moeller back to the active roster upon clearing assignment waivers on April 30. He remained on the active roster following Posada's return from the disabled list, but was again designated for assignment on July 31 following the acquisition of Iván Rodríguez
Iván Rodríguez
Iván Rodríguez Torres , nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Major League Baseball catcher...
. He cleared waivers and returned to Triple-A Scranton. While with the Yankees, Moeller played third
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
and first base twice each, the first time in his career he played a position other than catcher. Moeller rejoined the Yankees on September 1, when the rosters expanded from 25 to 40. Moeller became a free agent after the season.
2009 season
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
on December 12, 2008, and made its Opening Day roster as a backup catcher. After batting .200 with a .259 on-base percentage in fifteen games, he was designated for assignment on May 29 when the Orioles promoted top catching prospect Matt Wieters
Matt Wieters
Matthew Richard Wieters is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Baltimore Orioles. Wieters was drafted 5th overall in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft. Wieters played college baseball for Georgia Tech, and his agent is Scott Boras. Wieters is a tall athletic hitter, standing 6 feet...
from the Triple-A Norfolk Tides
Norfolk Tides
The Norfolk Tides are a minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. They play at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Since 2007 they have been a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles; prior to that, they had a 38-year affiliation with the New York Mets.-Franchise history:The...
. Moeller cleared waivers
Major League Baseball transactions
Major League Baseball transactions are changes made to the roster of a major league team during or after the season. They may include waiving, releasing, and trading players, as well as assigning players to minor league teams.-25-man and 40-man rosters:...
five days later and was assigned to the Tides. Moeller was recalled to Baltimore on August 7 when the Orioles traded catcher Gregg Zaun
Gregg Zaun
Gregory Owen "Gregg" Zaun is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He is the nephew of former MLB catcher Rick Dempsey. Zaun was a high school teammate of Mark Loretta...
to the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
.
2010 season
Moeller was signed to a minor league contract which included an invitation to spring training with the Baltimore Orioles on December 4, 2009. He was granted his release on April 1 after not making the team.On April 3, Moeller signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. On May 20 he was called up to the major league roster to back up Francisco Cervelli
Francisco Cervelli
Francisco Cervelli is a Major League Baseball catcher for the New York Yankees. He was an international signee by the Yankees in and played in the 2009 World Baseball Classic for the Italian team. He is Hispanic of Italian descent...
after another injury to Posada. He played his first game of the season on May 29, starting against the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. On June 21, Moeller was designated for assignment to clear room on the roster for outfielder Colin Curtis
Colin Curtis
Colin Benedict Curtis is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the New York Yankees.-Minor leagues:...
, returning to the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees on June 26. He was called up again on September 1.