| Mikel Moreno |
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Former Sun Devil All-American Mikel Moreno begins his third year back in the ASU Baseball program and first in Player Development. An outfielder for the Sun Devils from 1995-98, Moreno has previously been the head baseball coach at Florence High School and has also served as an assistant coach at both Central Arizona College and the University of New Orleans. Moreno previously served as an undergraduate assistant in 1999, but returns to ASU to pursue his graduate degree and will serve as a Graduate Manager in 2007. Moreno will assist with the day-to-day operations of the baseball office as well as various alumni outreach programs. Pursuant to NCAA compliance guidelines, the graduate manager is a non-coaching position.
Known for his explosive speed, power at the plate and strong outfield arm, Moreno was a standout for Coach Murphy, hitting .345 over his four seasons in Tempe. He totaled 277 hits and 236 runs scored in maroon and gold, knocking in 159 runs and belting 30 homers. Moreno is listed among the Top 10 in several career offensive categories (at-bats, runs, hits and doubles)
Moreno helped lead the ASU to the Atlantic Regional Final in 1997 against Miami and the College World Series in 1998, where ASU finished as the national runner-up. Moreno was named an Atlantic Regional All-Tournament Selection in 1997 and NCBWA Third-Team All-American in 1998. The Chicago Cubs drafted Moreno in the 22nd round of the June amateur draft. He played in the Cubs system in 1998 and 1999 before finishing his professional career with independent Valley Vipers, managed by former ASU pitching coach Bob Welch, in 2000.
A native of Mesa, Moreno was a two-sport star in both football and baseball. As a senior, he was named Arizona Republic 5A Player of the Year in both football and baseball. Moreno turned down a football scholarship offer from Army to attend ASU on a baseball scholarship. Mikel and his son Mikel-Patrik currently reside in Tempe.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
"Mikel Moreno is an exceptional addition to the ASU baseball staff. He combines his extraordinary work ethic with a relentlessly calculated approach to excellence to everything that he does. Mikel's experience with and passion for the ASU baseball program are second to none. He is a natural fit for the program." - ASU career RBI leader and CEO of TheSportsTV.com, Andrew Beinbrink
"He was tough on me, but he made me a man."- Former ASU infielder, Mark Ernster
"Mikel was the most competitive teammate I have had. He put the team in front of him. He wanted to win more than anyone I have met."- Two-time Pac-10 Player of the Year, Casey Myers
