Mike Moustakas, Third Base


Date of Birth: 9/11/1988
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
Nickname: Moose

Mike Moustakas, third baseman, was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 2007. He played in the Royals' minor league system until June 10, 2011, when he was called up to the major leagues. He played in 89 games with the Royals in 2011.

In February, 2012, Moustakas and the Royals agreed to a one-year contract. In 2012, he batted .242 with 136 hits, 34 doubles, 20 home runs, and 73 RBIs in 149 games. His statistics were not as good in 2013 with 110 hits, 26 doubles, 12 home runs, and a .233 batting average in 136 games.

Moustakas finished the 2014 season with 97 hits, 21 doubles, 15 home runs, 54 RBIs, and a .212 batting average in 140 games. In the postseason, he had 12 hits, 2 doubles, 5 home runs, and 7 RBIs in 52 at-bats in 15 games.

In 2015, Moustakas played in 147 games and he had career highs in hits (156), doubles (34), home runs (22), RBIs (82), and batting average (.284). On September 12th, he hit two home runs, including a grand slam, and he had 9 RBIs. As the Royals' third baseman, he made 257 assists, 112 putouts, and 12 errors in 146 games. In postseason play, he batted .215 with 14 hits, including a double and a home run, and 8 RBIs in 65 at-bats in 16 games.

Moustakas spent most of the 2016 season on the DL, first with a fractured thumb and then with a knee injury from a collision in foul territory with Alex Gordon on May 22nd. He played in just 27 games with the Royals.

Moustakas had a strong 2017 season, finishing with a .272 batting average in 148 games. He had 151 hits, 24 doubles, career highs in home runs (38) and RBIs (85), and 94 strikeouts to 34 walks. Defensively, as the Royals' third baseman in 127 games, he made 226 assists, 74 putouts, and 12 errors. He was named the American League Comeback Player of the Year for his achievements in 2017.

Moustakas elected free agency on November 2, 2017. He re-signed with the Royals on March 10, 2018. He was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers on July 27, 2018. He finished the 2018 season with 144 hits, 33 doubles, 28 home runs, 95 RBIs, 103 strikeouts to 49 walks, and a .251 batting average. Defensively, as a third baseman, he made 261 assists, 32 double plays, 83 putouts, and 12 errors. In the postseason, he had 8 hits, 2 doubles, and 3 RBIs in 40 at-bats in 10 games. He struck out 13 times and walked 4 times, and he had a .200 batting average.

Moustakas became a free agent on October 30, 2018. He re-signed with the Brewers on February 19, 2019. He finished the 2019 season with 133 hits, 30 doubles, 35 home runs, 98 strikeouts to 53 walks, and a .254 batting average in 143 games. Defensively, as the Brewers' third baseman in 105 games, he made 151 assists, 67 putouts, and 11 errors. In the postseason, he had no hits in 4 at-bats in one game.

Moustakas became a free agent on November 1, 2019. He signed a four-year, $64 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds on December 5, 2019. He played in 44 games in 2020, and he finished the season with 32 hits, 9 doubles, 8 home runs, 27 RBIs, 36 strikeouts to 18 walks, and a .230 batting average. Defensively, he played 10 games at first base, 32 games at second base, and 2 games at third base.

Moustakas spent time on the IL in 2021. He finished the season with 38 hits and a .208 batting average in 62 games with the Reds.

The Reds released Moustakas on January 5, 2023.

Career batting statistics for Moustakas through 2021 include:

  • 1,237 games played
  • 1,111 hits
  • 247 doubles
  • 196 home runs
  • 610 RBIs
  • 798 strikeouts to 352 walks
  • .249 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Moustakas at third base through 2021 include:

  • 1,088 games played
  • 1,939 assists
  • 183 double plays
  • 786 putouts
  • 115 errors
  • .960 fielding percentage

Personal Life

Moustakas' uncle, Tom Robson, played for the Texas Rangers in 1974 and 1975.

Moustakas and his wife Stephanie were married in January, 2014.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Mike Moustakas
ESPN - Mike Moustakas