ORLANDO – Nov. 3, 2024, will be remembered as a landmark day for UCF Baseball. On this day Major League Baseball announced the Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners for the 2024 season. One of those players is current Seattle Mariners star and UCF alum Dylan Moore.
Moore was one of 20 players to be given the award that honors the best defender at each position in the American and National League. By winning the award, Moore became the first ever UCF alum to win an award in MLB. This is a huge milestone moment for the Knights baseball program, which Moore says makes winning the award even sweeter.
“To be the first of anything is really cool,” Moore said. “UCF started off my career. It’s kind of where it all began.”
Moore opened his college career at the Junior College level, playing for Cypress College. He transferred to UCF in 2014 and played with the Knights for two seasons. He said after visiting UCF, it was a no-brainer that he wanted to become a Knight.
“I went out for a visit, a Friday night football game I believe,” Moore said. “It was such a fun time. The tailgate, I watched practice, the football game, it was such a vibe. The guys were cool on the team. I remember making the decision the next day when I flew home.”
In his two seasons at UCF, 2014 and 2015, Moore was a standout for the Knights. In 2014 he was named to the American Athletic Conference All-Conference second team. The following year he really broke out. He paced the Knights in average (.333), hits (80), RBI (45), slugging percentage (.542), on-base percentage (.417) and stolen bases (14), was named AAC First Team All-Conference and was named to Perfect Game’s Midseason All-America Team.
Moore said he remembers his time at UCF fondly, not just because of what he achieved on the field, but because of what he did off it.
“It was such a great time,” Moore said. “I met my wife there. I have a family with her now in Orlando, so there are so many great memories going back there.”
Moore’s performance as a Knight would end up getting him noticed by MLB scouts. He was picked in the seventh round of the 2015 MLB Draft (198th overall selection) by the Texas Rangers. From there he would spend several years in the minor leagues, spending time with not only the Rangers, but also the Atlanta Braves, who he was traded to, and the Milwaukee Brewers, who he signed with after the Braves cut him during spring training.
Moore described his journey through the minors as “interesting” because of how much he changed teams and because he realized that he “was a bit on the older side for where he was for (his) level.” He said at one point after he had been released, he thought his “career was over.”
In November 2018, Moore would sign with the Mariners and he would finally make it to the Major Leagues, when he was chosen to be part of the team’s 2019 opening day roster. When asked to describe the moment he found out he made the team, Moore said it was “a little bit of a funny story.” The reason is he nearly decided against going into the Mariner’s facility due to being sick.
“I ended up getting sick at the end of Spring Training,” Moore said. “I was like, ‘I have to go in! I have to go in’ but I could barely move. I think it was the flu or something. So, I just went to get some medication, got better, went in the next day and I noticed the guy I was competing against, his locker wasn’t there and mine was still there. Then my skipper found me and told me I made the team.”
Since being called up in 2019, Moore has remained in the Major Leagues with the Mariners. He has been part of some notable moments including hitting a go-ahead grand slam to help the Mariners come back and beat the Houston Astros in 2021. He also helped his team make the postseason in 2022. This was the first time the Mainers made the playoffs since 2001, which was at the time the longest postseason drought in all North American sports.
Prior to the start of the 2024 season, the Mainers traded away pitcher Marco Gonzales. This move officially made Moore the longest-tenured member on the team. After bouncing around several Minor League systems, Moore said it means so much that he’s been able to establish himself on a Major League team.
“I think that sticking around anywhere, especially in the big leagues means that you’re doing something right,” Moore said. “So, I take a lot of pride and I’m thankful to the organization for giving me this opportunity.”
Moore has repaid the Mariners’ faith in him as his 2024 season was the best of his career. In 135 total games played in 2024, Moore complied a .687 OPS at the plate. He recorded 10 homers, 23 doubles, four triples, 53 runs scored, and 42 RBIs. He also stole a career-best 32 bases. His 32 stolen bags and his 23 doubles were good enough to lead the club. He also ranked second on the team in walks in 2024 with 53 and recorded 74 total hits.
Moore’s biggest attribute to the team is his versatility. The Mariners use him as a utility player, which means he has no set position on the field. This past season, Moore played six different positions. He played 49 games at shortstop, 45 at third base, 37 at second base, 22 in left field, 11 at first base and one in center field.
No matter where he was out on the field, Moore thrived defensively. He committed just five errors in 401 total chances, which gave him a .988 fielding percentage. He also tallied 202 assists and 194 putouts on the year. As a result, most MLB managers and coaches, who account for 75% of the selection process, choose Moore to be the one to receive the AL’s utility player Gold Glove Award. Moore said receiving the honor was something he is incredibly grateful for.
“It was an honor,” Moore said. “It was one of those awards I had held the highest respect for. I knew it was a very coveted award. In my opinion, it’s the coolest trophy award that you can get. But I was extremely humbled.”
Moore winning the Gold Glove is something that has excited all of Knight nation, including his former teammates and coaches. His former coach Terry Rooney, who was the Knights’ head coach from 2009 to 2016, said he is extremely proud of Moore.
“So happy for Dylan winning a Gold Glove this season and all he has done in his career,” Rooney said. “He is so deserving, not only of this incredible award, but all he has accomplished. From the moment he arrived at UCF, it was very apparent that his work ethic, drive to succeed and ambition to be the best was all there. All of these qualities not only made him a great player, but a leader in the program that everybody looked up to.”
Moore said he keeps up with UCF baseball and continues to root for the team. He is excited about where the team is and looks forward to seeing the heights Rich Wallace will take the program to. Moore also said that he is grateful for the support Knight fans have shown him.
“Thank you, from the bottom of my heart,” Moore said. “My experience at UCF is a huge part of the baseball player I am now. I’m in Orlando. I try to come to as many games as I can. It holds a place in my heart and hopefully, we can get over this hump. Go Knights!”
👑 @d_moore22 👑
— UCF Baseball (@UCF_Baseball) November 4, 2024
Dylan Moore became the first Varsity Knight to win a Gold Glove Award! pic.twitter.com/VYCDT0tp1N