Sam Moll Stats & Scouting Report

IP	37.2
ERA	3.35
WHIP	1.09
BB/9	3.35
SO/9	9.08

Full name Samuel John Moll
Born 01/03/1992 in Lakeland, TN
Profile Ht.: 5'9" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Memphis
Debut 09/01/2017
Drafted in the 3rd round (77th overall) by the Colorado Rockies in 2013 (signed for $600,000).

View Draft Report

Memphis coach Daron Schoenrock and pitching coach Fred Corrall both have long track records for developing pitchers, and they could team up for a second straight second-rounder. Moll replaced Reds 2012 second-rounder Daniel Langfield as Memphis' Friday starter and showed significant improvement from his sophomore season, taking his strikeout rate from 5.5 to 10.3 per nine innings. If Moll were bigger than his listed 5-foot-11, 187 pounds, he might be a first-round pick. He sat at 94-95 mph in the Cape Cod League last summer, and he consistently hit 93-95 as a starter this spring. He has missed more bats this spring by staying down in the zone and throwing his short, power curveball for strikes more often. Moll's stocky build helps him hold his velocity, and he attacks hitters up with his fastball and down with his curve. His arm is quick and needs to be for him to repeat his release point, because his arm action in the back is a bit long. Some scouts think he can remain a starter thanks to his moxie, fast tempo and plus stuff.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Moll reached the big leagues with 11 relief appearances for the Athletics in 2017 after nearly five seasons in the Rockies' minor league system. Colorado sold his contract to Oakland in August 2017. The Mariners claimed Moll on waivers in November. While the short lefty had success in the Rockies organization as a reliever, Moll had been slowed at times with various injuries. He missed most of 2014 with bone chips and part of 2016 with elbow inflammation. What makes Moll an intriguing commodity is his mid-90s velocity from the left side with a max-effort delivery. His four-seam fastball touches 96 mph has sinking action. His fastball command suffers at the upper velocity range, and he's a much more effective strike thrower in his 90-91 mph comfort zone. He also throws a below-average slider in the mid-80s, but he doesn't always command the pitch. It has some two-plane movement. He rarely uses his changeup. Moll hasn't started a game since his pro debut season, but the Mariners will give him a chance to earn a rotation job in spring training.
Moll has the stuff to be a starter, but his slight 5-foot-10, 185-pound frame and injury history have forced him to the bullpen. He hasn't started since his pro debut in Rookie-level Grand Junction in 2013. He broke his toe in his final start that year and bone chips cost him all but nine appearances in 2014. He broke out in 2015 and reached Double-A, but he found the jump to Triple-A and Albuquerque's mile-high altitude in 2016 a bit more challenging. He missed about a month with elbow inflammation, though that didn't keep the Rockies from adding him to the 40-man roster after the season. Moll has life on his 93-96 mph fastball that helps him generate swings and misses and get groundball outs. The same is true of his mid-80 slider. That combo has allowed him to handle lefthanded batters. Moll throws a changeup with promise but doesn't use it much in a relief role. Command and health remain his biggest barriers to success. Given his role as a reliever on the 40-man, Moll could make the jump to the big leagues at some point in 2017.
Moll pitched limited innings at short-season Tri-City the first two years of his pro career, breaking his toe in late 2013 and having bone chips removed from his elbow the next year. Finally healthy, Moll took his talents to full-season ball in 2015. He spent the bulk of the year working out of the bullpen at high Class A Modesto but dominated in a late-season promotion to Double-A New Britain, striking out 17 in 15 innings. A Friday starter at Memphis, Moll makes the most of his stocky 5-foot-10 frame, generating velocity with quick arm action. Constantly in attack mode, he works quickly and aggressively with a 90-95 mph fastball, unafraid to pitch inside. He commands it well, though at times he can overthrow. His slider has a sharp, late break with tilt and is an effective strikeout pitch against righties and lefties, who hit .185 against him. His changeup needs to be more consistent, but it has flashed plus. Moll could be on a fast track to the major leagues as a high-leverage reliever and could begin 2016 at Triple-A Albuquerque
Elbow soreness delayed Moll's 2014 debut until Aug. 2, after he missed a month with a broken toe at the end of 2013. A starter in college, he seems destined to end up in the bullpen, where he could work in a high-leverage role facing tough lefthanded batters. For now he might continue starting for developmental reasons. He has flashed three plus pitches at times, with a feel for how to use them. Moll sits at 93-94 mph and touches 96 with a fastball that has a lot of run. He commands the pitch well but can miss up at times while reaching for more stuff. He has a putaway, mid-80s slider that can overmatch both righties and lefties and comes right out of his fastball slot with no change in his delivery. His changeup has depth and sink and is at times a plus pitch. Moll had minor surgery on his elbow on Sept. 19 and is expected to be ready to open the season at high Class A Modesto.
When they drafted Moll, a starter in college, the Rockies said he could end up in the bullpen. After he signed for $600,000 as a 2013 third-rounder, he began his pro career at short-season Tri-City. He made six starts and then missed a month with a broken left pinkie toe, an injury that occurred when he stubbed it against a dresser in the middle of the night in a hotel room. Moll returned on Aug. 24 and eased back into action by making four relief appearances and pitching six scoreless innings. As a starter, his fastball sat 90-91 mph, though he could reach back for 94 when needed. He sits at 93 mph out of the bullpen and touches 96. Moll's breaking pitch is a plus slurve that has two-plane movement and late action up to 87 mph. His developing changeup remains below par, and if it improves, he could remain a starter despite his longer arm action. Moll's tenacity played well in the bullpen, where he has the makings of another Rex Brothers. He should begin 2014 at low Class A Asheville but has a chance to move fast.

Draft Prospects

Memphis coach Daron Schoenrock and pitching coach Fred Corrall both have long track records for developing pitchers, and they could team up for a second straight second-rounder. Moll replaced Reds 2012 second-rounder Daniel Langfield as Memphis' Friday starter and showed significant improvement from his sophomore season, taking his strikeout rate from 5.5 to 10.3 per nine innings. If Moll were bigger than his listed 5-foot-11, 187 pounds, he might be a first-round pick. He sat at 94-95 mph in the Cape Cod League last summer, and he consistently hit 93-95 as a starter this spring. He has missed more bats this spring by staying down in the zone and throwing his short, power curveball for strikes more often. Moll's stocky build helps him hold his velocity, and he attacks hitters up with his fastball and down with his curve. His arm is quick and needs to be for him to repeat his release point, because his arm action in the back is a bit long. Some scouts think he can remain a starter thanks to his moxie, fast tempo and plus stuff.

Career Transactions

Cincinnati Reds activated LHP Sam Moll from the 15-day injured list.
Cincinnati Reds placed LHP Sam Moll on the 15-day injured list. Left shoulder impingement.
Cincinnati Reds recalled LHP Sam Moll from Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds optioned LHP Sam Moll to Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds activated LHP Sam Moll from the 15-day injured list.
Cincinnati Reds sent LHP Sam Moll on a rehab assignment to Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds sent LHP Sam Moll on a rehab assignment to Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds sent LHP Sam Moll on a rehab assignment to Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds placed LHP Sam Moll on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 25, 2024. Left shoulder impingement.
Cincinnati Reds activated LHP Sam Moll.
Cincinnati Reds reassigned LHP Sam Moll to the minor leagues.
Oakland Athletics traded LHP Sam Moll and cash to Cincinnati Reds for RHP Joe Boyle.
Oakland Athletics traded LHP Sam Moll and cash to Cincinnati Reds for RHP Joe Boyle.