MLB Draft: Catawba's Moore, Lyerly taken in 19th round

By Ronnie Gallagher

rgallagher@salisburypost.com

The excitement surrounding Stephen Strasburg's major-league debut for the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night reached Rowan County when Catawba outfielder and former West Rowan star Wade Moore was taken by the Nationals in the 19th round of the 2010 MLB draft.

Moore, a third-team All-American, was the 566th pick. He had some company 15 picks later when teammate and former East Rowan star Craige Lyerly was chosen by the Tampa Bay Rays at No. 581.

Catawba coach Jim Gantt was happy for both Rowan County greats.

"There's a lot of good athletes in the county," Gantt said. "They love their baseball."

Moore, reached by phone on Tuesday night, said, "Obviously, I'm ecstatic."

Moore was the 2006 Rowan County Athlete of the Year and turned down football scholarships to sign with N.C. State in baseball.

He decided to transfer home for his senior season just to get on the field. He said he knew he could play at the major-league level, but added, "Obviously, I couldn't leave it in the hands of N.C. State."

Moore has been working out for several clubs. He said the most interest came from the Nationals, Cubs, Giants and Braves. He worked out for six teams, showing them throws from the outfield and running the 60-meter dash.

"But I really felt, with the relationships I had with the area scouts, it didn't surprise me (being drafted by the Nationals)."

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Lyerly couldn't be reached Tuesday but Gantt gushed about the East Rowan product. Unlike Moore, Lyerly didn't have the huge fanfare coming out of high school but Gantt realized his potential.

"I remember him telling me not to worry about him — with his schoolwork or with baseball," Gantt said.

But the fanfare came. By the end of his career, Gantt said even the scouts were calling him by nickname, "Urn."

Lyerly finished sixth on the NCAA all-time career hit list with 336 He is fifth all-time with 537 total bases.

"He just puts the barrel on the ball," Gantt said.

This season, Lyerly hit .399 and his 83 hits led Catawba. He scored 59 runs. He was named All-Southeast Region.

Lyerly proved he had power (eight homers) and speed, finishing just two stolen bases (27) behind Moore's team-leading 29.

Gantt said to watch for the home-run power to increase once the Rays start working with him.

"He has tremendous power," Gantt said. "It's going to be scary if he utilizes that power. Pitchers didn't give him anything to hit."

Gantt said Tampa Bay is a good fit for Lyerly.

"He fits their mold," he said. "He can run."

And then, Gantt gave Lyerly the best compliment of all.

"He hasn't played his best baseball yet."

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Moore led Catawba in most offensive categories. He finished his senior year with a .410 average to go with 16 home runs, 59 runs batted in and 20 doubles. He scored 77 runs.

"He came back a better player," Gantt said. "He gave us everything we expected. He helped us get to the regionals and that was the best thing. He helped the team."

Moore's run total was the fourth best total in a season at Catawba. His .790 slugging percentage has him ranked seventh in school history.

Moore had 52 walks and a .542 on-base percentage, both of which are second all-time for a season.

Moore watched the draft with his family and once the 19th round came around, the screen on his TV went blank.

His dad, Dick, got a call from a friend and just as he was telling him his son hadn't been drafted, Moore's name came across.

"It looked so beautiful," Moore said. "I was trying to act cool and calm because I didn't want my family to be disappointed. But I was getting antsy."

Moore said his phone hasn't stopped ringing or his texts haven't stopped coming. He said three texts came in with the news before he even saw his name.

Moore was asked if he would celebrate.

"I'm just going to sit back with the family," he said.

Moore's agent Ty York is also the agent for former South Rowan star and current Kannapolis Intimidator Daniel Wagner.

Moore thinks he'll be sent to a short-season team in Vermont.