Amherst Baseball’s Xavier Moore Drafted By Texas Rangers

In the 16th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, the Texas Rangers selected the first high school prospect from the state of Ohio.

Xavier Moore, a starting right-handed pitcher out of Amherst Steele High School, was selected 494th overall.

With a fastball that tops out in the low 90s, Moore, who had previously committed to Ohio State, had a stellar season for the Comets.

Moore had a 0.31 ERA over the course of the year, a single season record. He recorded 86 strikeouts throughout 2017, good for third all-time in school history. His career ERA at Amherst is 0.90, and he ended his high school career with 121 strikeouts.

Naturally, the accolades for Moore piled up at the end of his 2017 campaign. He was named Lorain County Mr. Baseball, the Lorain County Player of the Year, the Northeast Ohio Player of the Year, the Southwestern Conference MVP, and earned 1st Team All-Ohio honors.

“All glory to God,” Moore said when asked about being drafted.

Moore is the second Amherst Baseball alum to be drafted by the Rangers. Ryan Rua, class of 2008, was selected by the Rangers in the 2011 MLB Draft after three years at Lake Erie College.

Moore is the first Amherst baseball player to be drafted straight out of high school.