Star Buc Moran Stopped at Iona Prep

Despite the Mets moribund season, Iona Prep baseball fans had good reason to visit Citi Field June 26 when the Pirates came to town. Iona Prep grad Colin Moran, who hit just under .400 while serving as the Gael’s closer, was starting at third base for the Bucs, who obtained him from the world champion Houston Astros earlier this year.

After leaving Iona Prep, Moran starred for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was named ACC Player of the Year in 2013.

Moran is the third major leaguer to emerge from Iona Prep. He was drafted third overall in 2014 by the Florida Marlins, joining his brother Brian and Brian Slocum in the big leagues. At the All-Star break, Moran was batting .264 with eight homeruns and 37 RBI for the just under .500 Pirates. Moran is a nephew of both Rick and B.J. Surhoff of Rye.