“It was me vs. you and I was gonna win” — Tennessee star Christian Moore talks about his champion mindset ahead of 2024 CWS final
Christian Moore has been one of the key figures in the Tennessee Volunteers' incredible 2024 NCAA baseball season. The junior has been one of their most consistent hitters, with his exploits at the plate making him just the third winner of the SEC triple crown in SEC history.
One of the tools in Moore's arsenal is his mindset, which speaks volumes about how he presents his talent to the country. Ahead of the Volunteers' College World Series final against the Texas A&M Aggies, the second baseman revealed how his doubters shaped his champion mindset.
"There’s a lot of self-doubt that’s been unsaid, that I haven’t said out loud, that people have told me, or said I wasn’t good enough to do that, do this. This year, it was my mission to prove everybody wrong. I knew I was a really good player and I really get support, you know, my family, my coaching staff, my teammates.
"I felt like it was me vs. everybody. Every team we played, every pitcher I faced, it was me vs. you, and I was gonna win. I’m sorry, there’s nothing else to it."
The second baseman also beamed with confidence when admitting he believes he can beat everyone and will bounce back even when he's beaten.
"I think I can beat anybody, and I’m never gonna think otherwise until they beat me, and that’s one time. I got plenty of other chances with you."
Christian Moore ranks 25th in the Top 100 MLB Draft prospects
Moore's performances at the plate this season exemplify his mentality. He became the sixth player in program history to hit for the cycle when he did so in the Volunteers' 12-11 win over the Seminoles in their College World Series opener. The second baseman has recorded 33 home runs and 73 RBI at an average of .385, which is a significant improvement on last season.
His progression in college baseball has put him 25th in the list of Top 100 MLB Draft prospects. This indicates that he's likely to make the jump to the major leagues next season, with several teams eyeing him as a top pick in the MLB Draft.
Moore will be keen to make his junior season more glorious by helping the Volunteers clinch their maiden College World Series crown. Their quest begins today (June 22) at 7:30 pm ET, in Game 1 of the College World Series finals against the Aggies.