Christopher Morel
Christopher Morel | |
---|---|
Chicago Cubs – No. 5 | |
Third baseman / Outfielder | |
Born: Santiago, Dominican Republic | June 24, 1999|
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
MLB debut | |
May 17, 2022, for the Chicago Cubs | |
MLB statistics (through June 23, 2024) | |
Batting average | .231 |
Home runs | 57 |
Runs batted in | 162 |
Teams | |
|
Christopher Rafael Morel (born June 24, 1999) is a Dominican professional baseball third baseman for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2022.
Professional career[edit]
Minor leagues (2017–2021)[edit]
Morel signed with the Chicago Cubs as an international free agent on August 23, 2015. In 2017, he was assigned to the Cubs team of the Dominican Summer League.[1] In 61 games, he slashed .220/.332/.359 with 7 home runs, 40 RBIs, 44 runs, and 23 stolen bases. He spent the 2018 season with A- Eugene Emeralds, and Rookie League AZL Cubs. In 54 games, he batted .216 with 44 hits, 8 doubles and 3 home runs. He spent the 2019 season with the A-level South Bend Cubs. In 73 games, he batted .284, with 73 hits, 15 doubles, 7 triples, and 6 home runs.
He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] The Cubs added Morel to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft on November 20, 2020.[3] He spent the 2021 season with the Double-A Tennessee Smokies, and Triple-A Iowa Cubs. In 111 games, he batted .223 with 90 hits, 18 doubles, 5 triples, and a career-high 18 home runs.[4]
Chicago Cubs (2022–present)[edit]
Morel started the 2022 season with Double-A Tennessee but was recalled to the major leagues on May 17. Morel made his major league debut later that day, and hit a home run in his first career at-bat during a 7–0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.[5]
Morel appeared in 113 games for the Cubs in his rookie campaign, slashing .235/.308/.433 with 16 home runs, 47 runs batted in (RBIs), and 10 stolen bases.
The Cubs optioned Morel to Triple-A Iowa to begin the 2023 season.[6] They promoted him to the major leagues on May 8, 2023, after he batted .330/.425/.730 with 11 home runs and 31 RBIs over 29 games.[7] Upon his promotion, Morel became the first Cub in franchise history to record nine home runs in his first 12 games of a season on May 23, 2023.[8]
Personal life[edit]
Morel's brother, Rafael, also plays in the Cubs organization. He is currently assigned to the South Bend Cubs.
See also[edit]
- List of Major League Baseball players with a home run in their first major league at bat
- List of Major League Baseball players from the Dominican Republic
References[edit]
- ^ "Christopher Morel Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
- ^ Gonzales, Mark (November 20, 2020). "Chicago Cubs add 3 to their 40-man roster, leaving 3 spots open for free-agent signings or trade acquisitions". chicagotribune.com.
- ^ "Christopher Morel Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ "Cubs' Christopher Morel homers in first MLB at-bat as Chicago wins blowout vs. Pirates". CBSSports.com. May 18, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
- ^ "Cubs' Christopher Morel: Optioned to Triple-A". cbssports.com. March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
- ^ "Christopher Morel joining Cubs". mlb.com. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- ^ "Chicago Cubs' Christopher Morel Makes Team History on Sunday". si.com. May 21, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
External links[edit]
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet