Mike Moustakas

Lore & Background

Moustakas was drafted in the first round (second overall) of the 2007 MLB draft by the Royals. During games he was often greeted by calls of 'Moose', a nickname given by his little league coach along with fans and the media. He attended Chatsworth High School in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, where he was a four-year starter in baseball. His 52 career home runs in high school are a California prep state record. He was named Baseball America's High School Player of the Year in 2007.

Reader's Guide

Moustakas set a Royals franchise record on September 12, 2015, against the Baltimore Orioles with 9 RBI, eclipsing the previous mark of seven. He hit a grand slam, a three-run home run and a two-run single in the 14–6 win. He also set a new club record for Kansas City in 2012, playing 47 straight games without an error, and made 41 double plays, far besting the previous mark of 34 set by Mark Teahen in 2006.

Did You Know?

• Moustakas was selected to the 2015 All-Star Game via the All-Star Game Final Vote.
• He won the All-Star Final Vote for the second time in 2017 and participated in the Home Run Derby.
• Moustakas hit 38 home runs in 2017, a new Royals single season record.
• He hit his 200th career home run on July 10, 2022.