Background: After leading the minors in strikeouts in 2009 and 2010, Moore brought even more to the table in 2011. The southpaw went a combined 12-3, 1.92 between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham, threw a nine-inning no-hitter in June and pitched a perfect inning in the Futures Game. He finished second in the race for the Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year award to Mike Trout, as well as second in the minors in ERA, strikeouts (a career-high 210) and opponent average (.184). Moore then distinguished himself further following a September callup. He won his first major league start with five shutout innings at Yankees Stadium, then two-hit the Rangers over seven shutout innings to win the opening game of the American League Division Series. Not bad for an eighth-round pick out of a New Mexico high school who signed for $115,000 in 2007. Moore was the top prep prospect in a state that's not heavily scouted, and he fell through the cracks.

Scouting Report: There's no question that Moore is the top pitching prospect in baseball. He reported to Double-A in April as equal parts thrower and pitcher before refining his mechanics and improving the quality of his secondary offerings. Moore has displayed an electric arm with a low-stress delivery since he signed with the Rays. His fastball sits at 93-95 mph and touches 97 when he reaches back for a little extra. He has significantly upgraded his fastball command and now pounds the lower reaches of the strike zone on both sides of the plate with consistency. His curveball is also a plus-plus pitch, especially when he keeps his fingers above the ball and creates sharp, quick break and late bite. When he didn't stay on top of his curve during his dominating inning at the Futures Game, it morphed into a nasty 86-87 mph slider. Moore gained a better feel in 2011 for his changeup, a pitch he throws with good arm speed to create deception and fade. His changeup is often a plus pitch and allows him to control opponents' bat speed and work deeper into games. Moore's an intelligent pitcher with tremendous mound presence, and he wasn't bothered by any of the challenges Tampa Bay presented him with during his brief taste of the big leagues. He even controls the running game well, as eight of 14 basestealers succeeded against him in 2011.

The Future: With above-average or better grades in every facet of his game, Moore is an ace waiting to happen. Scouts say he has better pure stuff than all-star David Price, whom the Rays selected 244 picks ahead of him in the 2007 draft. Moore has nothing left to prove in the minors, where he has gone 28-21, 2.64 with 700 strikeouts and 212 walks in 497 innings. However, Tampa Bay traditionally has been conservative with young pitchers and doesn't have an obvious opening in its rotation next year. That could mean the 22-year-old Moore sees at least a little time in Durham. Regardless of where he begins the season, he's too talented to spend much more time in the minors.