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UNC in the MLB: Colin Moran’s grand slam propels Pirates to victory

By Blake Cockrum

SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 1: Colin Moran #19 of the Pittsburgh Pirates, right, is congratulated by Josh Bell #55 and Josh Harrison #5 after hitting a grand slam during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on July 1, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 1: Colin Moran #19 of the Pittsburgh Pirates, right, is congratulated by Josh Bell #55 and Josh Harrison #5 after hitting a grand slam during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on July 1, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /
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Moran’s fifth inning grand slam was his second of the season

It’s been five years since Colin Moran was selected sixth overall by the Miami Marlins in the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft. And his journey from star college player to everyday starter hasn’t always been glamorous.

But it appears that all of his hard work has finally paid off.

He left the University of North Carolina as one of the most accomplished Tar Heel baseball players in program history, racking up gaudy statistics and a boat load of awards along the way.

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Moran’s .355/.442/.540 slash as a freshman, combined with his 71 RBIs and 20 doubles earned him a number of honors during his first season in Chapel Hill including ACC Freshman of the Year and Baseball America All-American. And despite an injury-plagued sophomore season, Moran still managed a .365 batting average to go along with 35 RBIs.

Moran put together a tremendous junior season at North Carolina, solidifying his place in UNC history and propelling himself to a first round selection. He led the Tar Heels with 13 home runs and a single-season UNC record 86 RBIs. His .470 on-base percentage and .544 slugging percentage were among the best in the conference.

Moran spent most of the next five seasons bouncing around AA and AAA rosters, all while being traded from Miami to Houston to Pittsburgh in less than four year’s time. After being shipped to Pittsburgh in 2018, though, things began to look up for the former Tar Heel.

In April of 2018, Moran was named the Pirates’ starting third baseman, and given his first opportunity to be an everyday major leaguer. He’s taken advantage of it to this point, playing in the second-most games of any Pirate this season, and leading the team in on-base percentage. He’s got the second-highest batting average of any everyday player in the lineup, and his offensive WAR is third to Francisco Cervelli and Sterling Marte.

On Sunday, Moran hit a 388-foot grand slam that put Pittsburgh on top of the San Diego Padres, propelling the Pirates to their 40th victory of the season. It was his second grand slam of the season after knocking one out of PNC Park in his first home at-bat for the Pirates.

"“Two grand slams in a year is pretty cool,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “Some guys don’t hit one their whole career. His rookie season, to have two of them now. … Those are cool things, and they don’t happen for everybody.”"

For the season, Moran is batting .271 with eight home runs and 33 RBIs. He’s got a .271/.349/.431 slash this season to go along with a .780 OPS and 97 total bases by July 1st.

In his first full major league season, Moran has established himself as a reliable everyday player and the Pirates’ undisputed starting third baseman.

Next: Ed Davis leaves Portland for Brooklyn

Check back with Keeping It Heel for future updates on Moran as well as all things UNC athletics.

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