Mariners fans will be pleased to hear Angels might be ruining another top prospect

Mariners fans have to deal with constantly being the butt of jokes for a number of reasons, including a perennially average offense and cheap ownership unwilling to field a legitimate World Series contender. So when other teams make constant mistakes and border on dysfunction, Seattle has to take some joy in it. Especially when it comes via a division rival.

This time, it is the Los Angeles Angels deciding to shift their top prospect, Christian Moore, to third base.

Drafted eighth overall in 2024, Moore was initially pegged as a second baseman (the only position he played in college), even receiving an invitation to spring training with the expectation of competing for the starting role at second. Now, the Angels' decision to potentially slot him at third seems like yet another misstep in their long history of player mismanagement.​

Take Nolan Schanuel, for instance. The Angels had high hopes for the former first round pick, but their development process has been less than stellar, leading to underwhelming performances and stunted growth (and a laughable lack of power). It's a pattern that's become all too familiar in Anaheim.​

The organization's woes don't end there. Both Baseball America and The Athletic's Keith Law have recently ranked the Angels' farm system dead last in MLB. This dismal standing reflects years of poor drafting, inadequate player development, and questionable trades that have depleted their minor league talent.

By contrast, the Mariners have invested heavily in scouting and player development, leading to a robust farm system that's consistently ranked among the league's best. This commitment has translated to on-field success and a promising future, something the Angels seem perpetually unable to achieve despite their payroll consistently being inside the top 10.

From a Mariners perspective, it's almost laughable how the Angels continue to squander their resources and talent. How many teams can waste away one of the greatest players of this generation? Seriously, Mike Trout hasn't played in the playoffs since 2014. This is not to mention that Shohei Ohtani, now a fellow three-time MVP winner, never played playoff baseball in Anaheim before immediately carrying the Dodgers to a World Series title in 2024.

While Los Angeles flounders, Seattle remains focused on sustainable growth and smart player utilization. The disparity between the two organizations is glaring, and as frustrating as Mariners fans might be, just be thankful that you are not the Angels.