Steven Moya

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Steven Moya

| image = Bs Moya 1.jpg

| image_size = 250

| caption = Moya with the Orix Buffaloes

| team = TSG Hawks

| number = 94

| position = Right fielder / First baseman

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1991|8|9}}

| birth_place = Río Piedras, Puerto Rico

| bats = Left

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = September 1

| debutyear = 2014

| debutteam = Detroit Tigers

| debut2league = NPB

| debut2date = April 20

| debut2year = 2018

| debut2team = Chunichi Dragons

| debut3league = CPBL

| debut3date = April 3

| debut3year = 2024

| debut3team = TSG Hawks

| statyear = 2016 season

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Batting average

| stat1value = .250

| stat2label = Home runs

| stat2value = 5

| stat3label = Runs batted in

| stat3value = 11

| stat2year = 2021 season

| stat2league = NPB

| stat21label = Batting average

| stat21value = .249

| stat22label = Home runs

| stat22value = 39

| stat23label = Runs batted in

| stat23value = 139

| stat3year = April 27, 2025

| stat3league = CPBL

| stat31label = Batting average

| stat31value = .290

| stat32label = Home runs

| stat32value = 31

| stat33label = Runs batted in

| stat33value = 101

| awards =

| teams =

Detroit Tigers ({{mlby|2014}}–{{mlby|2016}})
Chunichi Dragons ({{npby|2018}}–{{npby|2019}})
Orix Buffaloes ({{npby|2019}}–{{npby|2021}})
TSG Hawks ({{by|2024}}–present)

}}

Steven Moya (born August 9, 1991) is a Puerto Rico born-Dominican Republic professional baseball outfielder for the TSG Hawks of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Chunichi Dragons and Orix Buffaloes.

Career

=Detroit Tigers=

Moya signed with the Detroit Tigers as a non-drafted free agent in 2008.{{cite web| url = http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2013/03/prospect_steven_moya_gets_high.html | title = Detroit Tigers prospect Steven Moya gets high praise in morning, three hits in afternoon | work=MLive | first = Chris | last = Iott | date = March 13, 2013 | access-date = March 13, 2013 }} He made his professional debut with the Dominican Summer League Tigers, batting .252/.361/.372 with 6 home runs and 33 RBI in 60 games. The next year, he played for the GCL Tigers, slashing .190/.229/.299 in 40 games. In 2011, Moya played for the Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps, hitting .204/.234/.362 with career-highs in home runs (13) and RBI (39).{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=moya--001ste|title = Steven Moya Minor, Winter, Fall & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History}}

In 2012, Moya had Tommy John surgery, which caused him to play in only 59 games for West Michigan that year.{{cite web| url = http://www.foxsports.com/detroit/story/tigers-taking-a-serious-look-at-steven-moya-031014 | title = Tigers taking a serious look at Steven Moya | work=Fox Sports | first = Steve | last = Kornacki | date = March 10, 2014 | access-date = March 10, 2014 }} He spent the 2013 season with the High-A Lakeland Flying Tigers, posting a .255/.296/.433 slash line with 12 home runs and 55 RBI. Moya was added to the team's 40-man roster on November 20, 2013.{{cite web| url = http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20131120&content_id=64065488&vkey=pr_det&c_id=det | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131202231722/http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20131120&content_id=64065488&vkey=pr_det&c_id=det | url-status = dead | archive-date = December 2, 2013 | title = Tigers purchase contracts of seven players | work=MLB.com | date = November 20, 2013 | access-date = November 20, 2013 }}

File:IMG 0407 Steven Moya.jpg in {{Baseball year|2013}}]]

Moya started the 2014 season with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves.{{cite web| url = http://www.foxsports.com/detroit/story/tigers-prospect-steven-moya-is-tearing-up-double-a-pitching-072314 | title = Tigers prospect Steven Moya is tearing up Double-A pitching | work=Fox Sports | first = Steve | last = Kornacki | date = July 23, 2014 | access-date = July 23, 2014 }}{{cite web| url = http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140727/SPORTS0104/307270053 | title = Underrated Steven Moya showing he's destined for stardom | work=The Detroit News | first = Lynn | last = Henning | date = July 27, 2014 | access-date = July 27, 2014 }} On June 24, it was announced Moya had been named to the All-Star Futures Game.{{cite web| url = http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2014/06/detroit_tigers_prospects_jake.html | title = Detroit Tigers prospects Jake Thompson, Steven Moya named to All-Star Futures Game | work=MLive | first = James | last = Schmehl | date = June 24, 2014 | access-date = June 24, 2014 }} Moya was named the Eastern League All-Star Game MVP after he hit a grand slam in the fifth inning.{{cite web| url = http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/det/tigers-prospect-steven-moya-is-eastern-league-all-star-game-mvp?ymd=20140716&content_id=84970466&vkey=news_det | title = Moya named Eastern League ASG MVP | work=MLB.com | first = Teddy | last = Cahill | date = July 16, 2014 | access-date = July 16, 2014 }}

On August 28, 2014, Moya was named the 2014 Eastern League Most Valuable Player. Moya finished the season batting .273 (142-for-515) with 33 doubles, three triples, 35 home runs, 105 RBI, 81 runs scored, 16 stolen bases, a .555 slugging percentage and a .306 on-base percentage in 133 games this season. Moya is the first SeaWolves player to be named the league's MVP since the SeaWolves entered the Eastern League in 1999.{{cite web| url = http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140828&content_id=91928354&vkey=news_t106&fext=.jsp&sid=t106 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140903082806/http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140828&content_id=91928354&vkey=news_t106&fext=.jsp&sid=t106 | url-status = dead | archive-date = September 3, 2014 | title = Steven Moya Named Eastern League Most Valuable Player | work=Erie SeaWolves | date = August 28, 2014 | access-date = August 28, 2014 }} Moya set a new single-season franchise record for total bases (286), extra-base hits (71), home runs (35) and RBI (105).{{cite web| url = https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-92328062 | title = Moya Sets Records as 'Wolves Down Ducks | work=Erie SeaWolves | date = August 30, 2014 | access-date = August 30, 2014 }} Moya was named the Detroit Tigers' minor league player of the year.{{cite web| url = http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/94376866/steven-moya-austin-kubitza-win-tigers-minor-league-awards | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140914113001/http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/94376866/steven-moya-austin-kubitza-win-tigers-minor-league-awards | url-status = dead | archive-date = September 14, 2014 | title = Moya, Kubitza take home Minor League Awards | work=MLB.com | first = Matt | last = Slovin | date = September 12, 2014 | access-date = September 12, 2014 }}

Moya batted .265 (39-for-147) from August 1 on with 12 doubles, five home runs and 19 RBIs. He finished the season with the Mud Hens batting .240 (120-for-500) with 30 doubles, 20 home runs, 74 RBIs, 27 walks and 162 strikeouts.

Moya made his major league debut on September 1, 2014, as a pinch hitter in the 9th inning, where he recorded a single in his first career at-bat off Austin Adams of the Cleveland Indians.{{cite web| url = http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2014/09/tigers_indians_miguel_cabrera.html | title = Tigers 12, Indians 1: Miguel Cabrera has two home runs, four hits in rout of Cleveland | work=MLive | first = Chris | last = Iott | date = September 1, 2014 | access-date = September 1, 2014 }} Following the 2014 season, Moya went on to play for the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League. In 23 games, he batted .289 with six doubles, one triple, five home runs, and 19 RBI. Moya was also named to the Arizona Fall League Rising Stars Game.{{cite web| url = http://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2014/12/06/detroit-tigers-steven-moya/20020213/ | title = Steven Moya working on plate discipline to stay in majors | work=Detroit Free Press | first = Anthony | last = Fenech | date = December 7, 2014 | access-date = December 7, 2014 }}

File:Steven Moya on May 13, 2016.jpg

He was called up by the Tigers on September 8, 2015, as a September call-up.{{cite web|url=http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/148094628/tigers-designate-daniel-fields-among-moves|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911042436/http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/148094628/tigers-designate-daniel-fields-among-moves|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 11, 2015|title=Tigers call up 4, designate Fields|last=Beck |first=Jason |work=MLB.com|date=September 8, 2015|access-date=September 8, 2015}} He was 4-for-25 in nine September games.

On March 26, 2016, he was optioned to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens.{{cite web|url=http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/169143996/tigers-option-steven-moya-to-triple-a|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329073248/http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/169143996/tigers-option-steven-moya-to-triple-a|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 29, 2016|title=Tigers option hot-hitting Moya to Triple-A|last=Beck |first=Jason |work=MLB.com|date=March 26, 2016|access-date=March 26, 2016}}

On May 12, 2016, he was recalled from Triple A. He was optioned back to Toledo later, but was recalled again on June 16, 2016, upon an injury to the Tigers starting right fielder, J. D. Martinez. Moya was optioned back to AAA Toledo on July 17, 2016. After batting .324 in June with four home runs, he was 3-for-23 in July and had some defensive lapses in right field. Manager Brad Ausmus stated he wanted Moya to work on his outfield defense in a "less stressful environment".{{cite news|last1=Sipple |first1=George |title=Why the Tigers demoted Steven Moya, kept Tyler Collins |url=http://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2016/07/17/why-tigers-demoted-steven-moya-kept-tyler-collins/87225084/ |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |access-date=July 18, 2016 |date=July 17, 2016}} He was outrighted to Triple-A on March 31, 2017, and split the year between Triple-A Toledo and Double-A Erie, accumulating a .213/.272/.405 slash line with 18 home runs and 50 RBI. Moya elected free agency on November 6 and has not played a Major League game since.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2017|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2017/?amphtml|access-date=June 3, 2023|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 7, 2017 |language=en}}

=Chunichi Dragons=

File:Moya44(dragons).jpg

On December 1, 2017, Moya signed a one-year contract with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/12/npbkbo-signings-moya-noesi-bernadina-paredes.html|title=NPB/KBO Signings: Moya, Noesi, Bernadina, Paredes|last=Adams|first=Steve|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=December 1, 2017|access-date=December 2, 2017}}

On April 20, 2018, he made his NPB debut.{{cite web | url=http://www.chunichi.co.jp/chuspo/article/dragons/news/201804/CK2018042102000110.html | title=モヤ、いきなり４安打デビュー竜７回炎の７点大逆転 | work=中スポ東京中日スポーツ |language=Japanese | date=April 20, 2018 | access-date=April 22, 2018 }} He finished his first NPB season with a slash line of .301/.347/.441 with 3 home runs and 16 RBI. In 7 games for the team in 2019, Moya went 5-for-22 with 1 home run and 3 RBI.

=Orix Buffaloes=

On June 30, 2019, it was announced that Moya had been traded to the Orix Buffaloes for cash.{{ cite web | url=https://www.buffaloes.co.jp/news/detail/00002525.html | title=スティーブン・モヤ選手獲得のお知らせ | work=オリックスバファローズ公式サイト | language=Japanese | date=June 30, 2019 | access-date=December 23, 2019 }}{{Cite news |url=https://baseballking.jp/ns/193990 |title=オリックスが金銭でモヤを獲得！オリックスと中日の交換トレードも成立｜ BASEBALL KING |access-date=July 1, 2019 |language=ja}} In 64 games for the team, Moya batted .244/.278/.397 with 10 home runs and 35 RBI. On December 20, 2019, Moya signed a 1-year extension to remain with the Buffaloes.{{ cite web | url=https://www.buffaloes.co.jp/news/detail/00003052.html | title=外国人選手契約締結のお知らせ | work=オリックスバファローズ公式サイト | language=Japanese | date=December 20, 2019 | access-date=December 23, 2019 }} In 2020 for Orix, Moya slashed .274/.324/.567 with 12 home runs and 38 RBI in 46 games for the club.

In the 2021 season, Moya played in 106 games for the Buffaloes. In 354 at-bats, he slashed .229/.261/.373 with 13 home runs and 47 RBI. He became a free agent following the year.

= Toros de Tijuana =

On Janurary 6, 2022, Moya signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League, however Moya did not play in any games.

=Gastonia Honey Hunters=

On March 7, 2023, Moya signed with the Gastonia Honey Hunters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{cite web | url=https://www.atlanticleague.com/stats/transactions/ | title=Atlantic League Professional Baseball: Transactions }} In 11 games, Moya batted .432/.511/1.054 with 7 home runs and 19 RBIs. He was placed on the reserve list on May 16, 2023, in order to pursue an opportunity in Mexico.

=Acereros de Monclova=

On May 16, 2023, Moya signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-16-de-mayo-de-2023|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 16 de mayo de 2023|website=Minor League Baseball|language=ES|date=May 16, 2023|access-date=May 16, 2023}} He played in 3 games for Monclova, going 2–for–9 (.222) with 1 home run, 2 RBI, and 2 walks.{{Cite web|title=Steven Moya Stats, Fantasy & News|url=https://www.milb.com/player/steven-moya-570615|access-date=August 1, 2023|website=Minor League Baseball|language=en}}

=Gastonia Honey Hunters (second stint)=

On August 1, 2023, Moya signed with the Gastonia Honey Hunters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{cite web | url=https://www.atlanticleague.com/stats/transactions/ | title=Transactions – Atlantic League Pro Baseball }}

=TSG Hawks=

On January 24, 2024, Moya signed with the TSG Hawks of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) in Taiwan.{{Cite web|title=TSG Hawks Sign Steven Moya|url=http://cpblstats.com/tsg-hawks-sign-steven-moya/|access-date=January 24, 2024|website=cpblstats.com|date=January 24, 2024 |language=en}} In 115 games for TSG, he slashed .294/.367/.567 with 30 home runs and 99 RBI. Following the season, Moya was named a CPBL Best Ten Award winner.{{Cite web|title=2024 CPBL Awards Ceremony: MVP, Rookie of the Year and More|url=http://cpblstats.com/2024-cpbl-awards-ceremony-mvp-rookie-year/|access-date=November 11, 2024|website=cpblstats.com|language=en}}

On December 17, 2024, Moya re-signed with the Hawks on a $575,000 contract.{{Cite web|title=TSG Hawks Re-Sign Steven Moya for 2025 Season|url=http://cpblstats.com/tsg-hawks-sign-steven-moya-2025-season/|access-date=December 28, 2024|website=cpblstats.com|language=en}}

Awards and accomplishments

2014 Eastern League All-Star Game MVP
2014 Eastern League MVP
2014 Arizona Fall League Top Prospects Team{{cite web| url = http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/103653218/arizona-fall-league-names-22-to-top-prospects-team | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141215044431/http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/103653218/arizona-fall-league-names-22-to-top-prospects-team | url-status = dead | archive-date = December 15, 2014 | title = Fall League names 22 to Top Prospects Team | work=MLB.com | first = Teddy | last = Cahill | date = December 10, 2014 | access-date = December 10, 2014 }}

Personal life

Moya was born in Puerto Rico to Dominican parents, and when he was 2 months old, his family returned to the Dominican Republic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.diariolibre.com/deportes/beisbol/steven-moya-de-corazon-criollo-nacido-en-pr-HI1695382|title=Steven Moya, de corazón criollo, nacido en Puerto Rico|publisher=Diario Libre|author=Yamell Rossi Jesni|language=Spanish |date=October 28, 2015 |access-date=December 23, 2019 }}