Campus Newcomer: Van Meter C/RHP Cole Moore

We continue our Iowa Baseball Campus Newcomer series with an incoming freshman who comes from a high school that is a perennial power in all sports, including on the baseball diamond. Van Meter right-handed pitcher/catcher Cole Moore is the brother of former Hawkeye Reese Moore and is set to soon arrive on campus for his upcoming freshman year with the Iowa Baseball team. He is rated as the #5 player in the state of Iowa and the #187 right-handed pitcher in the country by Perfect Game.

As a junior for the Bulldogs, Moore slashed .451/.646/.736 at the plate, including 41 hits, 11 doubles, three triples, three home runs and 17 RBI’s. On the mound, Cole finished with a 6-2 record, posting a 1.39 ERA over 40.1 innings, including 85 strikeouts to 25 walks and 19 hits allowed. He earned First Team All-State honors for a Van Meter team that went 29-7 but got upset in the substate semifinals.

This past season, as a senior, Moore slashed .456/.611/.756 at the plate, totaling 41 hits, 15 doubles, four home runs and 27 RBI’s. On the mound, Cole posted a 1.53 ERA over 45.2 innings, including 86 strikeouts to 20 walks and just 22 hits allowed.

Over the course of his high school career, Moore won five state titles, including three in football and two in baseball. As a senior, Cole totaled 43 tackles, 24.0 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks, earning First Team All-State honors.

#3 ranked player in the @PrepBaseballIA 2025 class- Cole Moore sitting 90-91, touching 92 2x- topping 93 mph once. Life up and through the zone; along with a 79-83 mph slider that has flashed above avg at times. @UIBaseball commit. @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/BOS731t4x4

— Rob Allison (@PBRobbyMagic) June 3, 2025

We caught up with the 6-foot-3, 215-pound two-way player from Van Meter to preview his freshman year with the Hawkeyes.

Q: When do you move to Iowa City and what is your excitement level like for that move in day?

MOORE: I move in on August 17th and I would say the excitement level is pretty high to get there and start getting ready on campus for the fall.

Q: What number do you plan to wear and why?

MOORE: I will be wearing the number 34. I’ve been an Astros fan all my life and one of the best pitchers of all time Nolan Ryan wore it for the Astros.

Q: You’ve done a lot of winning at Van Meter in every sport that you’ve played. How have those accomplishments and learning what it takes to reach those goals helped you as you prepare to come to Iowa?

MOORE: I would say at Van Meter the winning culture I’ve experienced has really shown me what it takes for a team to achieve to win titles and I’m just hoping I can help bring that part of my game to Iowa.

Q: Your brother, Reese, played at Iowa and now will be at South Carolina. How often do you talk with him about college baseball and how much advice has he given you?

MOORE: We talk almost everyday about baseball. He’s given me a ton of advice about how to succeed at that next level and what it takes to make the jump from high school to the collegiate level and have continued success.

Q: What pitches do you have in your arsenal? What do you consider your best pitch and why?

MOORE: I throw a fastball, slider, curveball, change-up, and cutter. My cutter because I can throw it in any count to left and right-handed hitters.

Q: Looking back at your recruitment, what stood out about the Iowa Baseball program that made them an easy choice over other schools?

MOORE: What really stood out to me about the Iowa baseball program during my recruitment was how easily I made personal connections with the coaching staff and that it just felt right staying in Iowa.

Q: Were there any other schools that you heavily considered during your recruitment?

MOORE: I really considered the University of Nebraska along with some other Big Ten schools and some mid majors but overall, I felt like Iowa was best fit.

Q: What is your relationship like with the coaching staff? Who do you talk with the most?

MOORE: My relationship with the coaching staff has been really good. I’ve talked the most to Coach Sutherland as we’ve been in contact for quite a while now.

Q: After you committed there was a change at pitching coach. What about your conversations with Coach Sean Kenny kept you locked into your commitment to Iowa?

MOORE: In my communication with Coach Kenny, I was impressed with his approach on how he handles the pitching staff.

Q: If someone asked you “what do you bring to the Iowa Baseball team?” How would you describe your game?

MOORE: I always give everything to the game I have and everything I can do to help the team win.

Q: What is your relationship like with the other incoming freshman? Current players?

MOORE: It’s good. I’ve played with or against most of them during the spring and fall seasons. I know a majority of the returning players.

Q: What are your goals for your freshman season at Iowa? What areas of your game do you want to improve?

MOORE: I want to come in and compete and be the best teammate I can be to help the team win. I would like to work on refining my pitch arsenal further.