Yahoo Sports senior MLB analyst Jake Mintz talks with the former Tennessee infielder after being picks in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft.

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Video Transcript

All right.

We're here with Christian Moore eighth overall pick.

Christian.

Congratulations.

First of all.

So not a lot of ball players come from Brooklyn New York when you think back to where your career started and you look around here and where it's going.

What images kind of pop in your head?

I don't know.

It's, it's a lot, it's crazy, man.

I never thought I would here.

Never thought, you know, I'd be able to compete at such a high level and, you know, I just thank God that I'm allowed to be here and be in this situation and be at the draft and, you know, it's just, it's, it's all just like kinda like a whirlwind right now.

And I'm just all, I don't know if it hit me yet or hasn't soaked in yet, but it's just a bunch of excitement, man.

And like I said, just ready to get to work, you're gonna wake up tomorrow and be like, what, like I'm an angel.

When did it click for you that you were this good kind of, at what point in your developmental trend?

I think when I got to college when I started really just playing baseball.

Um, you know, growing up I played three sports so when I really got to focus on baseball year round, um, that's when I knew I could, I could probably do something in his game.

I always knew I was good.

Um, but, you know, I never really, you know, knew how good I could be.

And like I said, when I got to college it kind of just, you know, everything just clicked, right?

Because when you're in the sec, I mean, you're competing against the best, the best, the best of the best.

Where does your confidence?

You know, I got, I was in Omaha, I watch you play.

It's unshakeable.

Where does that come from?

Is your family?

Is it where you're from?

No.

Yeah, definitely.

Just where I'm from New York City kid.

I'm flashy.

I'm, I'm exciting, I'm loud.

That's just my game.

You know, I can't really help it.

But, um, definitely, you know, the confidence, like I say, coming from my parents, coming from Brooklyn, New York, there's a whole lot of swagger.

Um, like I said, I got a lot of confidence out there.

That's kind of my safe place, kind of where my heart is.

You know, what is Tony Vitello mean to you?

I mean, you guys just three unbelievable years for you at Tennessee and literally like to see your college coach on TV in the fur coat, right?

It was one of a kind Right.

He's insane, man.

He's, he's the best dude ever, man.

And I'm like I said, I'm so happy that we got to, you know, share that moment together and we got to work so hard together and win a national championship because moments like that you'll never get back and for him to be here with me.

You know, I know he's kind of, you know, on the big screen and being cool because he is.

But you know, just him being here, you know, I know he was working real hard for me.

And you know, like I said, I'm so blessed if that guy is in my corner.

Coach Elander, same thing.

I'm so blessed.

Those guys are in my corner.

How do you grow as a person and a player in college?

Really man, like you said, you're living on your own, you know, it's college.

Yeah, you gotta cook you best competition.

So you just grow fast and you learn, you gotta learn, man.

And I think that's what separates, you know, players, you know, it's when you learn from your mistakes, you have to switch them, you have to change them immediately.

It's college.

You see, you know, less, less room for error, you know.

And like I said, definitely, you know, that that was one thing that, you know, coming into college and having three years, there is something I learned, like you got to learn from your mistakes, Christopher Moore, one of the most electrifying players in college baseball this year cycle in Omaha.

Can't wait to watch you succeed in pro ball, man.

Congratulations.

Appreciate it.

Thank you so much.

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