Christian Moore Sends Powerful Message to Former Tennessee Teammate After His Move to the Los Angeles Angels Organization

Christian Moore has never been one to shy away from big moments—on the field or online. The Tennessee Volunteers’ star infielder, who etched his name into program lore with clutch performances and relentless passion, took to social media to show love to a former teammate who just began a new chapter in his baseball journey.

The message wasn’t long, but it didn’t have to be. In the world of sports, sometimes a few words carry the weight of years of hard work, sacrifice, sweat, and brotherhood.

Moore’s message came in response to former Tennessee outfielder Hunter Ensley officially signing with the Los Angeles Angels organization after being selected in the 2025 MLB Draft. Ensley, known for his gritty play, consistency in the outfield, and emotional leadership in the Vols’ dugout, inked his professional deal earlier this week—one of the latest in a line of Tennessee players to make the leap from Knoxville to the pros.

Moore’s words?

“Go be great, brother. Your journey’s just getting started. Love you forever. #VFL”

Simple. Sincere. And quintessentially Moore.

Those who have followed Tennessee baseball in recent years understand just how much that message means, not just to Ensley, but to a team and fanbase that prides itself on loyalty, brotherhood, and relentless competitiveness. Moore and Ensley were more than teammates—they were anchors of a team that helped revive and sustain Tennessee’s rise as a national baseball powerhouse under head coach Tony Vitello.

While Moore continues to weigh his professional future—projected as a top-round selection in next year’s MLB Draft—he remains deeply connected to the players who helped Tennessee reach new heights during his time in orange and white.

And his message to Ensley comes not just as a send-off, but as a reminder: once a Vol, always a Vol.

The Bond Between Moore and Ensley
Over the last two seasons, Moore and Ensley were pivotal to Tennessee’s dominance in the SEC and deep postseason runs. Moore, the hard-hitting second baseman with a flair for the dramatic, was the emotional engine of the Vols’ offense. Ensley, a quiet assassin in the outfield, led by example and came through time and time again when the moment demanded poise and precision.

Together, they embodied what Tennessee baseball had become—fearless, relentless, and undeniably connected.

They shared walk-offs, heartbreaks, celebrations, and the grind of long road trips and brutal SEC doubleheaders. Whether it was Moore’s monster home runs or Ensley’s game-saving catches, the duo always found a way to leave their mark.

And now, with Ensley beginning his professional career in the Angels organization, Moore made sure that connection didn’t fade.

Their story is one of thousands in college baseball, but the Tennessee version hits differently. It’s built on sweat equity, shared dreams, and the understanding that what they accomplished in Knoxville will never be forgotten—no matter how far their baseball journeys take them.

The Rise of Hunter Ensley
Hunter Ensley’s path to professional baseball wasn’t paved with top-prospect labels or flashy headlines early in his career. It was earned through late nights in the batting cage, grinding in the weight room, and constantly proving doubters wrong. A product of small-town Tennessee, Ensley became a household name in college baseball not because of hype, but because of heart.

During his final season with the Vols, Ensley hit .304 with 9 home runs and 46 RBIs. But those stats only tell part of the story. He was often the spark at the top of the lineup, the guy who would stretch a single into a double, and the first to dive head-first into the wall to make a catch. His instincts in center field saved more runs than most fans could count.

It was that kind of heart-and-hustle approach that caught the eye of MLB scouts—and eventually, the Los Angeles Angels.

Selected in the 8th round of the 2025 MLB Draft, Ensley signed shortly after and was assigned to the Angels’ Single-A affiliate in the California League. Though his pro career is just beginning, the traits that made him a Vol favorite—grit, effort, and baseball IQ—are already making an impression on his new coaches.

Christian Moore: Leader, Brother, and Lifelong Vol
Christian Moore’s journey with the Volunteers isn’t over just yet. After a dazzling junior campaign where he hit .360 with 22 home runs and earned All-SEC honors, Moore elected to return for another year, with his eyes set on leading Tennessee to another College World Series appearance.

His return stunned some MLB insiders, who projected him as a top-50 pick in this year’s draft. But Moore made it clear: there’s unfinished business in Knoxville.

Still, Moore has never let individual ambition overshadow his appreciation for his teammates, especially those who helped lay the foundation for his success.

That’s what makes his social media message to Ensley so powerful. It’s more than a congratulatory post—it’s a tribute. A nod to the long hours. The bus rides. The moments that only teammates understand.

Moore’s message is also a reminder to younger Vols in the locker room: this is what Tennessee baseball stands for. Supporting your brothers, even after they move on. Lifting them up. Celebrating them like family.

A Vol Brotherhood That Never Ends
The Vols have seen their fair share of talent enter the MLB ranks over the past few years. Jordan Beck, Drew Gilbert, Ben Joyce, Chase Dollander, and now Ensley, are part of a pipeline that continues to grow stronger. But what separates Tennessee baseball from the rest is the culture. That unbreakable bond that players carry with them long after their final at-bat in Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

And that culture was on full display in Moore’s message.

Tony Vitello has repeatedly praised Moore for his leadership. Now, that leadership extends beyond the dugout and into the digital realm—where a single post can galvanize an entire fanbase and remind them of what makes Vol baseball special.

Ensley responded to Moore’s message later that day, reposting it with the caption:
“Appreciate you forever, brother. Wouldn’t have made it without your fire and your love. VFL 4L.”

It’s a brotherhood forged in dirt and sweat. And one that doesn’t stop at the boundary lines of Knoxville.

Looking Ahead
As Ensley embarks on his professional career and begins the grind of minor league ball, he does so with the support of his Tennessee family—none louder than Christian Moore.

Meanwhile, Moore is preparing for what could be a historic senior season in orange. With national championship aspirations, a loaded roster, and personal goals still to chase, Moore’s focus is laser-sharp. But as his message shows, he never forgets where he came from—or the people who were in the trenches with him.

The Vols will reload and retool. New names will take the field, and new stars will emerge. But the legacy of players like Moore and Ensley won’t fade. Their bond, immortalized in a few heartfelt words on social media, serves as both inspiration and a reminder of what the Tennessee program is built on.

Brotherhood. Loyalty. Love.

And as long as players like Christian Moore are around to carry that torch, Tennessee baseball will never stop shining.