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

Key Information

Moran attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he played college baseball for the North Carolina Tar Heels baseball team. In his freshman season, he was named Freshman of the Year and was the only freshman named to the All-America team. After his junior year, the Miami Marlins selected Moran with the sixth overall selection of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft. They traded him to the Astros the next season. The Astros promoted Moran to the major leagues in 2016. The Astros traded him to the Pirates in a package for Gerrit Cole on January 13, 2018.

Amateur career

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Moran attended Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle, New York.[1] Undrafted out of high school, he chose to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) to play college baseball for the North Carolina Tar Heels baseball team in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).[2] In his freshman year, he led the Tar Heels with a .335 batting average, .442 on-base percentage, .540 slugging percentage, nine home runs, 71 runs batted in and 20 doubles.[2]

Moran was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Freshman All-America team, ACC Freshman of the Year, and Baseball America Freshman of the Year.[2][3][4] Moran was named a Baseball America All-American, the only freshman to earn the honor.[5]

Moran with North Carolina in 2011

Despite an injury shortened sophomore season, Moran again led the Tar Heels with a .365 average and 35 RBIs.[citation needed] Moran followed the injury-plagued season by being selected as a second team All America by Louisville Slugger,[6] ACC player of the year,[7] and a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award[8] while setting a single season RBI record for UNC, with 86 runs batted in. In 2011 and 2012, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League, and was named a league all-star in both seasons.[9][10] Moran led the Tar Heels in 2013 with 13 home runs, along with a .544 slugging percentage, and a .470 on-base percentage.

Professional career

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Miami Marlins

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The Miami Marlins selected Moran in the first round, with the sixth overall selection, of the 2013 MLB draft. Moran signed with the Marlins, receiving a $3.5 million signing bonus.[11] He hit a home run in his first professional at-bat, as a member of the Greensboro Grasshoppers of the Single–A South Atlantic League.[12][13] He spent all of his first professional season with Greensboro, batting .299 with four home runs and 23 RBI in 42 games.

Attending spring training in 2014, Moran sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee. He began the 2014 season on the disabled list[14] before being assigned to the Marlins' High–A affiliate, the Jupiter Hammerheads of the Florida State League.

Houston Astros

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Moran during spring training in 2015

On July 31, 2014, the Marlins traded Moran, Jake Marisnick, Francis Martes, and a compensatory draft pick to the Houston Astros in exchange for Jarred Cosart, Enrique Hernández, and Austin Wates.[15] The Astros assigned Moran to the Corpus Christi Hooks of the Double–A Texas League.[16] In 117 games between Jupiter and Corpus Christi, he batted .296/.344/.397 with seven home runs and 55 RBI.

Moran with the Astros in 2015

The Astros invited Moran to spring training in 2015.[17] He began the season back with Corpus Christi. In May 2015, a throw hit Moran in the face that fractured his jaw, requiring surgery.[18][19] He was activated later in the month, but was placed back on the disabled list on June 12. He was activated June 21. In 96 games for the Hooks, he slashed .306/.381/.459 with nine home runs and 67 RBI.

Moran opened the 2016 season with the Fresno Grizzlies of the Triple–A Pacific Coast League.[20] The Astros promoted him to the major leagues on May 17.[21] Moran batted 2-for-19 (.105) before he was optioned back to Fresno.[22] He began the 2017 season with Fresno and was promoted to the major leagues on July 18.[23] Moran would play nine games with the Astros in 2016, compiling a .130 average and two RBI. In 117 games for Fresno, he batted .259 with ten home runs and 69 RBI.

Moran began 2017 with Fresno. He was recalled by the Astros on July 18. On July 22, Moran was injured in the sixth inning when he fouled an inside pitch from Baltimore Orioles reliever Darren O'Day straight up and into the left area of his eye. Moran went down to the ground and grabbed his face, which had started to bleed. After a lengthy time down on the field with athletic trainers—including a brief moment where he attempted to stand up but couldn't – he was carted off the field. Moran suffered a facial fracture from the foul ball, and was placed on the 10-day disabled list.

The Astros finished the 2017 season with a 101–61 record and won the 2017 World Series. Moran did not play in the playoffs, but won his first championship as he was still on the team's 40-man roster at the time.[24] In nine games for Houston, he batted .364 with one home run and three RBI, and in 79 games for Fresno, he posted a .308 batting average with 18 home runs and 63 RBI.[25]

Pittsburgh Pirates

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On January 13, 2018, the Astros traded Moran, Joe Musgrove, Michael Feliz, and Jason Martin to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Gerrit Cole.[26] MLB.com ranked Moran as Pittsburgh's eighth best prospect going into the 2018 season.[27] After the trade, Moran was named Pittsburgh's starting third baseman.[28]

During the Pirates home opener on April 2, 2018, in his first at-bat for the Pirates at PNC Park, Moran hit his first career grand slam off of Lance Lynn.[29] Moran finished his 2018 campaign slashing .277/.340/.407 with 11 home runs and 58 RBI in 144 games.[30]

In a game against the Miami Marlins on September 5, 2019, Moran faced his older brother Brian Moran in Brian's major league debut. He ended up striking out on a full-count slider against Brian. In the pandemic shortened 2020 season, Moran led the Pirates in total bases (84), home runs (10), and tied for first in RBI (23), slashing .247/.325/.472.[31]

On November 29, 2021, Moran was designated for assignment by the Pirates following the signing of Yoshitomo Tsutsugo.[32] The next day, Moran was non-tendered by the Pirates, making him a free agent.[33]

Cincinnati Reds

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On March 17, 2022, Moran officially signed a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds.[34] He was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A Louisville Bats on June 29.

Moran had his contract selected back to the major league roster on August 27.[35] On September 6, Moran was designated for assignment and was released on September 8.[36]

Seattle Mariners

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On January 10, 2023, Moran signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners organization.[37] In 40 games for the Triple–A Tacoma Rainiers, he batted .257/.361/.397 with 5 home runs and 28 RBI. Moran opted out of his minor league contract and became a free agent on July 10.

High Point Rockers

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On April 30, 2024, Moran signed with the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[38] In 51 games for the Rockers, he slashed .290/.355/.495 with eight home runs and 24 RBI. Moran was released by High Point on August 12.[39]

On May 9, 2025, Moran signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League.[40] However, on May 12, it was announced he would not report due to personal reasons.[41]

Personal life

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Moran's brother, Brian Moran, is a professional baseball pitcher. His uncles, Rich and B. J. Surhoff, played in Major League Baseball. His grandfather, Dick Surhoff, played in the NBA with the New York Knicks.[2]

Moran and his wife, Kelsey, married in 2017 and had their first child, a daughter in 2020.[42]

Moran grew up a fan of the Baltimore Orioles.[43]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Colin Richard Moran (born October 1, 1992) is an American former professional baseball and . Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 225 pounds, he bats left-handed and throws right-handed. Drafted sixth overall by the in the first round of the following a distinguished college career at the at Chapel Hill, Moran signed for a $3.5165 million bonus and has appeared in 502 Major League games over seven seasons (2016–2022). Moran's professional career began in the Marlins organization, but he was traded to the Astros in a 2014 deal that sent pitcher to . He made his MLB debut with the Astros on April 11, 2016, and played there through 2017, posting a .246 in 74 games during his season. Traded to the in January 2018 as part of the Gerrit Cole acquisition, Moran enjoyed his most productive years in , where he batted .277 with 13 home runs and 80 RBIs in 149 games during the 2019 season. Over four seasons with the Pirates (2018–2021), he accumulated 293 hits and 36 home runs while serving as a steady . In December 2021, Moran signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the , where he played in 92 games in 2022, batting .257 with six home runs before being released in September of that year. He then joined the Seattle Mariners on a minor league contract with an invitation to in 2023, spending time in their system but not returning to the majors. In 2024, he signed with the of the Atlantic League, batting .289 with eight home runs in 51 games before his release in August. On May 9, 2025, he signed with the of the Mexican League but did not report due to personal reasons. As of November 2025, Moran is a . His career MLB totals include a .263 , 50 home runs, and 239 RBIs across 1,692 plate appearances. Known by the nickname "Redbeard" for his distinctive , Moran comes from a family; his uncle, Brian Moran, and cousins, Corbin and Hunter Moran, are also professional players.

Early life and amateur career

Early life and family background

Colin Moran was born on October 1, 1992, in , and raised in the nearby town of . He grew up in a household deeply immersed in , with his family tree featuring multiple professional players who provided constant inspiration and guidance. Moran's parents, Bill and Diane Moran, supported his athletic pursuits alongside those of his older brother, Brian Moran, a left-handed pitcher who later played in Major League Baseball. His uncles, B.J. Surhoff and Rich Surhoff, further embedded baseball in the family dynamic; B.J. enjoyed a 19-year MLB career as a catcher and outfielder with the Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles, and Atlanta Braves, while Rich appeared in the minor leagues. From a young age, Moran attended Major League games with B.J. Surhoff, gaining on-field access and interacting with players, including witnessing Surhoff's celebrations during the 1998 American League Division Series at Camden Yards. His brother Brian also played a key role, bringing him to practices and games to instill discipline and passion for the sport. This baseball-centric environment extended to Moran's early athletic development, where he participated in multiple , including leagues in the Westchester area. At age 11, he played for the ProSwing Pride team in the Cooperstown Dreams Park tournament, an experience that highlighted his budding talent in competitive . He also competed in the Westchester/Putnam Catholic Organization's sixth-grade Tyros division championship in 2004. These early opportunities, fueled by familial encouragement, laid the foundation for his progression into organized high school .

High school career

Colin Moran attended in , where he played baseball under coach Fred Gallo. As a versatile capable of playing , third base, and second base, he developed into a standout hitter during his high school tenure. In his senior year of 2010, Moran batted .500, drew 28 walks, and recorded 23 RBI while serving as the team's closer. He earned All-Archdiocese honors that season, along with Journal News Westchester first-team all-star recognition and the 2010 Journal News Westchester Player of the Year award. As a junior in 2009, he received All-Bronx-Westchester honors and was named team MVP twice during his career. Moran's strong family baseball legacy, including his uncle B.J. Surhoff's MLB career, further motivated his development at Iona Prep. Moran's profile rose through participation in prominent showcases, where he was ranked as the No. 10 prospect in New York and No. 486 nationally by Perfect Game. These evaluations highlighted his potential as a top college recruit, leading him to commit to the over other offers, following in the footsteps of his brother and uncle at the program. Undrafted out of high school, Moran opted for collegiate to further hone his skills.

College career

Moran enrolled at the in 2011, joining the Tar Heels baseball team under head coach Mike Fox. Recruited following a standout high school career at Iona Prep, he quickly established himself as a key contributor at third base. Over his three seasons with UNC from 2011 to 2013, Moran posted a .346 (242-for-699), including 25 home runs and 197 RBIs, while demonstrating strong plate discipline with a .452 . As a in 2011, he hit .335 with 9 home runs and 71 RBIs in 67 games, earning Baseball America Freshman of the Year honors and a spot on the First-Team Freshman All-America squad. His sophomore year in 2012 was limited to 41 games due to injury, but he still batted .365 with 3 home runs and 35 RBIs. Moran's junior season in 2013 was his most productive, as he slashed .345/.470/.544 with 13 home runs and a school-record 91 RBIs in 71 games, leading the team in multiple offensive categories. For his performance, he was named Player of the Year, First-Team All-ACC, and Third-Team by the ABCA/Rawlings. The Tar Heels advanced to the 2013 , where Moran contributed a .375 average (6-for-16) with 3 RBIs across four games. Following his junior year, Moran opted to forgo his senior season and declare for the 2013 MLB Draft.

Professional career

Miami Marlins organization and draft

Moran was selected by the Miami Marlins with the sixth overall pick in the first round of the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft, following a standout college career at the University of North Carolina where he demonstrated advanced plate discipline and hitting ability, earning recognition as one of the top pure hitters in his draft class. He signed with the Marlins on July 12, 2013, for a signing bonus of $3,516,500, which matched the slot value for the sixth pick. Following his signing, the Marlins assigned Moran to the Greensboro Grasshoppers of the Class A South Atlantic League, their affiliate in the South Atlantic League. In 42 games with Greensboro during the 2013 season, he batted .299 with four home runs and 23 RBIs, showcasing his left-handed power potential while adapting to professional pitching. Moran began the 2014 season on the disabled list due to a minor injury but was activated and promoted to the Jupiter Hammerheads of the Class A Advanced Florida State League in late April. Over 89 games with Jupiter, he hit .294 with five home runs and 33 RBIs, primarily at third base, before his mid-season departure from the organization. On July 31, 2014, the Marlins traded Moran, along with Jake Marisnick and pitcher Francis Martes, to the Houston Astros in exchange for pitcher , infielder Enrique Hernández, and Austin Wates.

Houston Astros

On July 31, 2014, the Houston Astros acquired Colin Moran from the Miami Marlins, along with Jake Marisnick and pitchers Francis Martes and a competitive balance pick, in exchange for pitcher , infielder Enrique Hernández, and Austin Wates. Following the trade, the Astros assigned Moran to their Double-A affiliate, the of the , where he batted .304 with two home runs and 22 RBI over 28 games to close out the 2014 season. In 2015, Moran returned to Corpus Christi for a full season, posting a .306 with nine home runs and 67 RBI in 96 games, demonstrating strong contact skills and plate discipline with a .373 . Moran advanced to Triple-A with the of the in 2016, where he appeared in 117 games and batted .259 with 10 home runs and 69 RBI, though his strikeout rate rose to 24.2 percent amid the league's hitter-friendly environment. The Astros promoted him to the majors on May 17, and he made his MLB debut the following day against the Baltimore Orioles at third base, going hitless in three at-bats. Moran appeared in nine games that year, primarily as a starter at third base, batting .130 (3-for-23) with two RBI before being optioned back to Fresno on May 31; he was recalled again on September 16 but saw limited action in the season's final weeks. Entering 2017, Moran began the year with Fresno, where he hit .308 with 18 s and 63 RBI in 79 games, rebounding with improved power and a .916 . Recalled to on July 18, he played seven games, batting .364 (4-for-11) with one and three RBI, including a solo shot off Seattle Mariners reliever on July 21. His season was cut short on July 22 when he fouled a 91-mph off his face, suffering a and right orbital fracture that required and placed him on the 10-day disabled list; he underwent rehabilitation but did not return until mid-September, appearing in just two more games. Despite the injury limiting him to minimal major league time, Moran remained on the Astros' 40-man roster as the team won the over the in seven games, earning him his first championship ring without appearing in the postseason. On January 13, 2018, the Astros traded Moran, along with pitchers and and outfield prospect , to the in exchange for ace right-hander .

Pittsburgh Pirates

Moran joined the via a trade from the Houston Astros on January 13, 2018, in exchange for pitcher along with outfielder , pitcher , and pitcher . He made an immediate impact in his first season with the team, serving as the primary and appearing in 144 games while batting .277 with 11 home runs and 58 RBIs. A highlight came on April 2, 2018, during the Pirates' home opener against the , when Moran hit his first major league grand slam in the bottom of the first inning off pitcher , giving Pittsburgh an early 5-0 lead in a 5-4 victory. From 2019 to , Moran remained a consistent starter for the Pirates, transitioning primarily to first base in and while logging 149 games in 2019 (.277 average, career-high 13 home runs, 80 RBIs), 52 games in the shortened season (.247 average, 10 home runs), and 99 games in (.258 average, 10 home runs). Over his four seasons with , he maintained a .269 across 444 games, with 44 total home runs, establishing himself as a reliable corner during the team's rebuilding phase. In , Moran dealt with injuries, including a rehab assignment to the Triple-A starting July 30 before returning to the majors. The Pirates designated Moran for assignment on November 29, 2021, and he elected free agency the following day on November 30.

Cincinnati Reds

Following his release from the in December 2021, Moran signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the on March 17, 2022, to serve as a depth . Moran began the season with the Reds' Triple-A affiliate, the of the , where he appeared in 53 games and batted .249 (48-for-193) with seven home runs and 26 RBI. He made three separate stints with the major league club that year, totaling 42 games and posting a .211 (23-for-109) with five home runs and 23 RBI. The Reds designated Moran for assignment on September 6, 2022, and released him two days later, making him a free agent at the end of the season.

Seattle Mariners and later MLB affiliations

Following his release by the Cincinnati Reds on September 8, 2022, which made him a free agent, Moran signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners on January 10, 2023, including an invitation to Major League spring training. Moran was assigned to the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate, the , to begin the 2023 season. He appeared in 40 games for Tacoma, batting .257 with 35 hits in 136 at-bats. On May 30, 2023, Moran was placed on the seven-day due to a hamstring strain, limiting his playing time during the summer months; he was activated on June 6. Moran did not receive a call-up to the Mariners' Major League roster during the 2023 season. His minor league contract expired at the end of the season, after which he became a again, and he had no further affiliations with MLB organizations in 2024 or 2025.

Independent and international leagues

Following his last affiliated minor league appearance with the in 2023, Colin Moran pursued opportunities in independent and international . On April 30, 2024, Moran signed with the of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 51 games that season, he batted .289 with 8 home runs and 24 RBI before being released by the team on August 12, 2024. Moran returned to organized in 2025, signing with the of the Mexican League on May 9. However, he did not report to the team on May 12 due to personal reasons and has not appeared in any games since. As of November 2025, Moran remains a with no further professional play recorded that year. Across his seven-season Major League Baseball career, which concluded in 2022, Moran posted a .263 with 50 home runs and 239 RBI in 502 games.

Personal life

Family and baseball connections

Colin Moran was born in , and raised in , where was deeply embedded in his legacy. Moran's older brother, Moran, is a professional pitcher who made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut on September 5, 2019, with the , notably striking out Colin in his first at-bat during that appearance while Colin played for the . later pitched for the Cubs from 2021 to 2022 and the Mariners in 2023, and spent 2024 and 2025 in the ' minor league system before electing free agency in November 2025, accumulating experience across multiple organizations after being drafted by the Mariners in 2009 out of the . The brothers' extended to the field, with providing early guidance to Colin, including bringing him to college practices and games to build his skills and confidence during challenging periods, such as Colin's freshman year at UNC. Moran's uncles, and Rich Surhoff, further strengthened the family's baseball ties. enjoyed a distinguished 19-season MLB career from 1987 to 2005, playing for the Brewers, , , and Houston Astros, after being selected first overall in the 1985 MLB Draft out of UNC. Rich Surhoff, a right-handed , appeared in 9 MLB games in 1985, including 2 for the Phillies and 7 for the Texas Rangers, following a notable minor league career. These familial connections profoundly shaped Moran's youth, offering mentorship and motivation through regular family interactions. During barbecues, holidays, and other gatherings, shared insights from his professional experiences, normalizing the pursuit of an MLB career and inspiring Colin and Brian to emulate him. A particularly vivid memory for young Colin was attending the 1997 at Camden Yards, where he witnessed B.J.'s in action and joined in post-game celebrations, including being playfully doused with beer by pitcher . B.J. also provided direct pointers on hitting and the rigors of pro , while the brothers often attended MLB games together with their uncles, fostering early opportunities and a drive to succeed in the sport. This environment not only honed Colin's skills but also instilled a sense of possibility, paving the way for his own professional path. His cousins, Corbin and Hunter Moran, are also professional players.

Marriage and children

Colin Moran married Kelsey Moran in December 2017. The couple welcomed their first child, a named Oaklyn, in December 2019. Throughout his career, Moran has balanced the demands of frequent travel and game schedules with family responsibilities, often crediting his wife for providing essential support during road trips and absences. In May 2025, Moran signed with the of the Mexican League but arrived briefly in Mérida before returning to the for personal reasons, possibly related to commitments. As of November 2025, he remains unaffiliated.

References

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