Christopher Rafael Morel (born June 24, 1999) is a Dominican professional baseball utility player for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2022.
Christopher Morel | |
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Chicago Cubs – No. 5 | |
Utility player | |
Born: Santiago, Dominican Republic | June 24, 1999|
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
MLB debut | |
May 17, 2022, for the Chicago Cubs | |
MLB statistics (through April 9, 2024) | |
Batting average | .246 |
Home runs | 45 |
Runs batted in | 127 |
Teams | |
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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]
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]
Morel's brother, Rafael, also plays in the Cubs organization. He is currently assigned to the South Bend Cubs.