Rascals' Moran Signs With Atlanta Braves

Rascals starting pitcher Gary Moran is moving on up.

According to a tweet by the Rascals, Moran was acquired by the Atlanta Braves organization. The 26-year-old pitcher was in his second year with the River City organization. 

The Rascals will be losing arguably the ace of the pitching staff. In three starts this season, Moran leads the team in innings pitched (23), ERA (1.57) and strikeouts (23). His two wins are tied for the team lead. 

Moran will report to the Braves' Class A South Atlantic League team in Rome, Georgia on Wednesday.

"Gary was the top starter in the league last season and he worked extremely hard over the winter," said River City manager Steve Brook. "I fully expect him to have continued success."

Moran's last start for the team was a good one. On June 1. He gave up just one earned run and struck out nine while scattering seven hits in the Rascals 5-1 win against Rockford.

"You can never tell whether teams are watching or if an opportunity will suddenly come up," Moran said after that contest. "All you can do is work as hard as you can."

Following the game, Rascals play-by-play broadcast Jason Troop predicted Moran wouldn't be around the team much longer.

"He's too good to be in this league," Troop said.  

Last season the 6-foot, 9-inch right-hander was a key pitcher for the 2010 Frontier League Champion Rascals. Moran was 10-4 with a 2.68 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 111 innings pitched. In the playoffs, the former Giants farmhand only got better. Moran was 0-1 in two starts, but compiled a 0.63 ERA in 14.1 innings of work.

He was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 41st round of the 2009 Major League Baseball free agent draft.