Dustin Moseley Stats & Scouting Report

IP	358
ERA	4.676
WHIP	1.436
BB/9	2.941
SO/9	5.003

Full name Dustin Aaron Moseley
Born 12/26/1981 in Texarkana, AR
Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Arkansas
Debut 07/17/2006
Drafted in the C round (34th overall) by the Cincinnati Reds in 2000 (signed for $900,000).

View Draft Report

If a team is looking for a polished high school pitcher, the line starts with the 6-foot-3, 190-pound Moseley, the state's top talent according to the Major League Scouting Bureau. He already has an advanced feel for pitching with command of an 89-90 mph fastball, a hammer curve and a solid changeup. He's athletic and excels in the outfield when not pitching. Scouts are impressed with how easy he goes about his job, though some wonder how much upside is left. He has committed to Arkansas.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Angels had no intention of picking up Ramon Ortiz' $5.5 million contract option for 2005 and considered nontendering him rather than go to arbitration with him. Instead, they were able to trade him to the Reds for Moseley in December. Moseley doesn't have a true out pitch, which limits his ceiling, but his pitching savvy has allowed him to rise quickly through the minors. He relies on his ability to locate his 88-92 mph fastball, cutter, curveball and changeup. Lower back problems cost him a few starts in 2004, but he otherwise has been durable throughout his pro career. Moseley is headed for Triple-A in 2005 but could get a callup if injuries create a hole in Anaheim's rotation.
Moseley signed late in 2000 for $930,000 and has advanced rapidly, earning midseason promotions during each of the last two seasons and reaching Triple-A at age 21. Moseley's mature knack for pitching has enabled him to move swiftly up the ladder. While he's not overpowering with his 88-92 mph fastball, he has plus movement and manipulates the ball to both sides of the plate with a cutter and two-seamer. His 77-81 mph curveball with 12-to-6 break and his deceptive sinking changeup are among the best in the organization. His delivery is clean and effortless, potentially allowing him to add to his fastball. Because he doesn't have plus velocity, Moseley has to rely on location and setting up hitters. Scouts say he doesn't have a true out pitch, so he won't be able to carry a pitching staff. Though his ceiling is limited, Moseley is a good bet to enjoy a long and productive career in the majors. He reminds scouts of control artists like Rick Reed and Bob Tewksbury. He'll start 2004 in Triple-A and could help the Reds rotation before the all-star break.
Moseley signed for $930,000 as a 2000 supplemental first-rounder, but because the Reds ran out of money in their draft budget, the deal wasn't finalized until the start of their 2001 fiscal calendar in November. His late start hasn't bothered him at all. Moseley has shown a great feel for pitching since his high school days. His fluid delivery and arm action allow him to fire three pitches for strikes. His fastball is gaining velocity, and he'll dial his two-seamer up to 92-93 mph. He regularly sits at 90-91 with good life. His 76 mph curveball is a plus pitch, ranking with Josh Hall's for the system's best. Moseley has improved his mechanics and does a better job staying back over the rubber. He shows a good feel for his changeup, but could improve it and incorporate it more frequently. He also has worked hard to develop his lower-body strength this offseason. Moseley got knocked around after his promotion to Double-A, so he'll return there in 2003. He'll be part of a prospect-laden rotation that will include Bobby Basham, Ty Howington, Ricardo Aramboles and Hall.
The Reds didn't have money for Moseley in their 2000 signing budget, so he signed that November after their 2001 fiscal year began. They figured he was mature enough to begin his professional career in low Class A in 2001, and his performance justified the decision. Invited to big league camp in 2001, Moseley endured volleys of good-natured razzing from veterans who asked if he had his driver's license. He demonstrated an excellent feel for pitching, despite his youth, guiding his pitches through the strike zone and past hitters. Moseley's fastball can hit 92 mph, which isn't overpowering but is hard enough when he hits his spots with late movement. His curveball and changeup were effective more often than not. With his beanpole build, Moseley must gain the strength that will enable him to reach the 200-inning level in coming years. Polished as he is, he can tweak his delivery by staying over the rubber a little longer, which will help him maintain better balance. The Reds don't need to rush Moseley. They know he'll progress quite nicely on his own. For now, moving up to high Class A Stockton will suffice, though he could finish the season in Double-A.
Among high school prospects in the 2000 draft, Baseball America regarded Moseley as closest to the majors. His precociousness attracted the attention of the pitching-poor Reds, who couldn't sign him until mid-November after a new fiscal year started. They landed him with a $930,000 bonus and a $100,000 scholarship plan. Moseley already shows a seasoned professional's polish and control. Scouts who have met him say he's confident and knows what he must do to get to the majors. He spots his fastball well, complementing it with a wicked curveball and an adequate changeup. His intelligence allows him to survive on the mound even on days when his stuff falls a little short. Moseley's velocity is good but not great. His fastball was clocked at 89-90 mph, which is fine for Greg Maddux but few others. The Reds hope he can push it to 90-92 mph with maturity and added strength. He needs experience to test his impressive self-assurance. Moseley is expected to start 2001 at Dayton. Though his maturity suggests that he might not stay there for long, the Reds might want to keep him in low Class A for most of the season so he can learn to adjust to hitters the second and third time he faces them.

Minor League Top Prospects

Moseley received a promotion for a spot start in Triple-A after pitchers Carlos Almanzar and Josias Manzanillo left Louisville because they were upset at not being called up to the majors. He allowed one earned run on six hits over seven innings in his debut and never looked back. He never surrendered more than three earned runs in any start. "He has life on his fastball and locates it well," Louisville pitching coach Mack Jenkins said. "Late in the year, he found a feel for his curveball. When it's sharp, it could be plus." Moseley adds a plus changeup to that mix along with his above-average command. He works with very sound mechanics and generates easy 89-92 mph velocity. The total package should add up to a middle-of-the-rotation starter as he gains experience and a better feel for pitching.
Stockton began the season at an incredible pace behind the strength of their budding young pitching staff. Josh Hall, John Koronka, Ryan Snare and finally Moseley all moved to Double-A after leading the Ports to a 49-21 start. Moseley established himself as the most promising prospect of the bunch. His fastball tops out around 92 mph and he pitches at 86-90 with occasional late tailing action, so he relies more on setting hitters up than overpowering them. His fastball is deceptive when he sets it up with his late biting 76-mph hammer curveball. One scout graded his breaking ball as a future 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. He also demonstrates good command of his changeup. With command of his three-pitch mix, Moseley is able to keep hitters off balance. "As a hitting coach, I look for comfortable swing versus uncomfortable swings," Morales said. "And hitters don't take comfortable swings against him. He has that late explosive movement."