The past year was a memorable one for the Florida Atlantic baseball team.
They won a Regional this year, and recorded a 27-game winning streak during the regular season, almost equaling the 1999 season’s 33-game win streak.
Todd Moser was one of the starting pitchers on that ’99 team, and he was glad to hear that the Blue Wave continues to be successful.
“I was like, 27 games? You’ve got to be kidding me,” said Moser, who still follows his alma mater and keeps in touch with the other pitchers from the ’99 staff, which is pretty easy since he lives in Jupiter. Moser currently pitches for the Jupiter Hammerheads, the advanced Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Florida Marlins.
Moser put up some big numbers for FAU in that memorable ’99 season. He led the team with 15 wins and 130 strikeouts. And he was a big reason the Blue Wave made it to an NCAA Regional.
He has no regrets about choosing FAU over some of the bigger schools in the country. He knew he could have gone almost anywhere.
“I liked FAU, and Coach Cooney and Coach McCormick are awesome,” Moser said.
Moser was happy at FAU and is happy to be a Jupiter Hammerhead. Several weeks ago, he returned from the disabled list and has been pitching pretty well since.
He currently has a 5-3 record and a 3.90 ERA in 60 innings pitched. He knows that if he can consistently do a few things well, he’ll be successful.
“I basically need to hit my spots, change speeds, and put the ball where I want it,” he said. The Hammerhead’s Pitching Coach, Ace Adams, has seen some good things from Moser. “His sinker is really good. He handles pressure well and doesn’t get too rattled,” said Adams.
He thinks Moser can improve on a few things though. “He needs to get stronger and throw a better breaking pitch to left-handed hitters,” said Adams. He knows strength will come in time.
“It’s great playing here,” Moser said about being not too far away from home. “I mean, my family comes to games all the time.”
But Minor League Baseball isn’t easier than college baseball. The players are more talented and move up or down in the Minor Leagues.
Recently, Moser had to say goodbye to his roommates David Campos and Terry Byron, who were both waived by the Hammerheads.
When asked how he dealt with this, he said, “It’s hard. But I’ve got to pitch tomorrow.” Moser will make new friends though. “I’m getting to know guys on the team,” said Moser.
Six players were drafted from this past year’s FAU team. However, no players drafted from FAU baseball have made it to the Major Leagues yet. But as the team improves, Coach Cooney’s program will inevitably produce a Major League player.