Morel was signed by the Cubs for $800,000 in 2015, three years after his brother Rafael, an infielder, was signed for $850,000.
After cutting his right arm in a house accident shortly after turning pro, Christopher had to wait until 2017 to make his debut, but he has since progressed swiftly, reaching Triple-A last year at the age of 22.
Though he batted just .223/.303/.427 across Double-A and Triple-A in 2021, he’s the most versatile Cubs farmhand and one of the most athletic.
Morel can drive the ball out of any part of the park and has outstanding bat speed and exit velocity from the right side of the plate.
Rather than allowing his excellent raw power to shine through organically, he overswings and struggles to get to fastballs in the zone.
He did improve his walk rate from 4% to 10% in 2019, which is a positive indication, but he still needs to focus on simply driving the ball from gap to gap rather than aiming for the fences.
Last season, Morel stole 18 bases in 21 attempts, demonstrating his great speed and aggressive mentality on the bases.
His quickness and above-average arm strength enable him to play practically everywhere on the field, which he did last year, starting at center field, third base, right field, shortstop, and second base.
He is a rangy but unpredictable infield defender who covers decent ground at all three outfield positions.
How Much Does Christopher Morel Make?
Christopher Morel earns an annual base salary of $570.000.