Dennis Moeller
Encyclopedia
Dennis Michael Moeller is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher who played for the Kansas City Royals
and Pittsburgh Pirates
from 1992 to 1993.
in Reseda, California. He then went on to attend Los Angeles Valley College
, and was drafted from there in the 17th round of the 1986 amateur draft.
. Used almost entirely as a starter (14 appearances, 11 starts), he went 4-0 with a 3.06 ERA, striking out 65 batters in 61 2/3 innings of work.
The following year, Moeller pitched for the Appleton Foxes, going 2-5 with a 7.20 ERA in 18 games (13 starts). Again with Appleton in 1988, he went 3-5 with a 3.18 ERA in 20 games (18 starts) with them that season.
In 1989, Moeller split time between the Baseball City Royals
and Memphis Chicks
. For the Baseball City Royals he went 9-0 with a 1.77 ERA in 12 games (11 starts). For the Chicks he went 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA in five starts. Combined, Moeller went 10-1 with a 2.06 ERA in 17 appearances (16 starts). In 96 1/3 innings of work, he allowed only 75 hits.
Despite pitching well in 1989, Moeller slumped in 1990 while pitching for the Chicks and Omaha Royals
. For the Chicks he went 7-6 with a 6.25 ERA, and with the Royals he went 5-2 with a 4.02 ERA. Although his combined ERA was 5.16, he posted a record of 12-8.
He spent all of 1991 with the Chicks and Omaha Royals in 1991, making a combined total of 25 starts, and going 11-8 with a 2.95 ERA between them.
Pitching for the Omaha Royals in 1992, Moeller went 8-5 with a 2.46 ERA in 120 2/3 innings of work. His solid performance earned him a promotion to the big league club, and on July 28 he made his major league debut against the Toronto Blue Jays
. Moeller started the game, going 4 1/3 innings, allowing four hits, two hits and four runs (although one of them was unearned. Two of the hits he gave up were back-to-back home runs by Kelly Gruber
and Candy Maldonado
to start off the top of the second inning. The Blue Jays won the game 6-4.
Moeller made a total of five appearances in the majors in 1992, starting four of the games and going 0-3 with a 7.00 ERA. In 18 innings of work, he allowed 24 hits, 14 earned runs, 11 walks and he struck out only six batters. On November 19, 1992, he was traded to the Pirates with Joel Johnston
for José Lind
.
He made 10 appearances in the big leagues in 1993, going 1-0 with a 9.92 ERA. Despite having a perfect record, he spent the majority of his time in the minors, where he made 24 appearances for the Buffalo Bisons
(11 starts). With them, he went 3-4 with a 4.34 ERA. He was granted free agency on October 15, and was signed by the Royals on November 28.
Despite being resigned by the Royals, he never again appeared in the major leagues - he played his final game on May 21, 1993. However, he played in the minor leagues in 1994, going 7-6 with a 3.84 ERA in 50 appearances (only one start).
Overall, Moeller made 15 appearances (four starts) in the majors, going 1-3 with a 8.39 ERA. In the minors, he went 60-42 in 215 games (135 starts).
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher who played for the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
from 1992 to 1993.
Before professional baseball
Prior to being drafted, Moeller attended Cleveland High SchoolCleveland High School (Los Angeles, California)
Grover Cleveland High School is a public school serving grades 9-12. Cleveland Humanities Magnet is part of Cleveland High School. The school is located in Reseda, in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California....
in Reseda, California. He then went on to attend Los Angeles Valley College
Los Angeles Valley College
Los Angeles Valley College is a community college located in the Valley Glen district of Los Angeles, California in the east-central San Fernando Valley. The school is a part of the Los Angeles Community College District....
, and was drafted from there in the 17th round of the 1986 amateur draft.
Professional baseball
Moeller began his professional career in 1986 with the Eugene EmeraldsEugene Emeralds
The Eugene Emeralds is a minor league baseball team in Eugene, Oregon, United States. They are a short-season Class A team in the Northwest League, and have been a farm team of the San Diego Padres since 2001....
. Used almost entirely as a starter (14 appearances, 11 starts), he went 4-0 with a 3.06 ERA, striking out 65 batters in 61 2/3 innings of work.
The following year, Moeller pitched for the Appleton Foxes, going 2-5 with a 7.20 ERA in 18 games (13 starts). Again with Appleton in 1988, he went 3-5 with a 3.18 ERA in 20 games (18 starts) with them that season.
In 1989, Moeller split time between the Baseball City Royals
Baseball City Royals
The Baseball City Royals was a farm team for the Kansas City Royals from 1988-1992.The Baseball City Royals joined the Florida State League in 1988...
and Memphis Chicks
Memphis Chicks
The Memphis Chicks were an American minor league baseball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. The Chicks were charter members of the Southern Association from 1901 until November 18, 1960, when the club folded and was transferred to Macon, Georgia for 1961.The Chicks suffered a...
. For the Baseball City Royals he went 9-0 with a 1.77 ERA in 12 games (11 starts). For the Chicks he went 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA in five starts. Combined, Moeller went 10-1 with a 2.06 ERA in 17 appearances (16 starts). In 96 1/3 innings of work, he allowed only 75 hits.
Despite pitching well in 1989, Moeller slumped in 1990 while pitching for the Chicks and Omaha Royals
Omaha Royals
The Omaha Storm Chasers are a United States minor league baseball team currently based in the Omaha suburb of Papillion, Nebraska. The team is the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals major league club and has been a member of the expanded Pacific Coast League since 1998. From 1969 to 1997,...
. For the Chicks he went 7-6 with a 6.25 ERA, and with the Royals he went 5-2 with a 4.02 ERA. Although his combined ERA was 5.16, he posted a record of 12-8.
He spent all of 1991 with the Chicks and Omaha Royals in 1991, making a combined total of 25 starts, and going 11-8 with a 2.95 ERA between them.
Pitching for the Omaha Royals in 1992, Moeller went 8-5 with a 2.46 ERA in 120 2/3 innings of work. His solid performance earned him a promotion to the big league club, and on July 28 he made his major league debut against the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. Moeller started the game, going 4 1/3 innings, allowing four hits, two hits and four runs (although one of them was unearned. Two of the hits he gave up were back-to-back home runs by Kelly Gruber
Kelly Gruber
Kelly Wayne Gruber is a former Major League Baseball third baseman.-Early career:Gruber played baseball at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas where his number was later retired. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 1st round of the 1980 amateur draft but did not see time with the team...
and Candy Maldonado
Candy Maldonado
Candido Maldonado Guadarrama is a former Major League Baseball outfielder from to for the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, and Texas Rangers. Chris Berman, a fellow ESPN analyst, called him the "Candyman"...
to start off the top of the second inning. The Blue Jays won the game 6-4.
Moeller made a total of five appearances in the majors in 1992, starting four of the games and going 0-3 with a 7.00 ERA. In 18 innings of work, he allowed 24 hits, 14 earned runs, 11 walks and he struck out only six batters. On November 19, 1992, he was traded to the Pirates with Joel Johnston
Joel Johnston
Joel Raymond Johnston is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He played 5 seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals and Boston Red Sox. He was 6'5", 220 pounds, and he also threw and batted right-handed...
for José Lind
José Lind
José Lind Salgado, nicknamed "Chico", is a former Major League Baseball player, and former manager of the Atlantic League's Bridgeport Bluefish. He is the cousin of Onix Concepcion, another MLB player. Primarily a second baseman, Lind was highly regarded for his defensive skills, winning a Gold...
.
He made 10 appearances in the big leagues in 1993, going 1-0 with a 9.92 ERA. Despite having a perfect record, he spent the majority of his time in the minors, where he made 24 appearances for the Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
(11 starts). With them, he went 3-4 with a 4.34 ERA. He was granted free agency on October 15, and was signed by the Royals on November 28.
Despite being resigned by the Royals, he never again appeared in the major leagues - he played his final game on May 21, 1993. However, he played in the minor leagues in 1994, going 7-6 with a 3.84 ERA in 50 appearances (only one start).
Overall, Moeller made 15 appearances (four starts) in the majors, going 1-3 with a 8.39 ERA. In the minors, he went 60-42 in 215 games (135 starts).