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 | |
|---|---|
| Chicago Cubs – No. 5 | |
| Utility Player | |
| Born: (1999-06-24) June 24, 1999 (age 23) Santiago, Dominican Republic | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 17, 2022, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| MLB statistics (through 2022 season) | |
| Batting average | .235 |
| Home runs | 16 |
| Runs batted in | 47 |
| Teams | |
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Morel signed with the Chicago Cubs as an international free agent in 2015. In 2017, he was assigned to the Cubs team of the Dominican Summer League.[1] In 61 games, he batted .220 with 49 hits, 6 doubles, 2 triples, 7 home 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. After the cancelled 2020 minor league season, 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.[2]
The Cubs added him to their 40-man roster after the 2020 season.[3] 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.[4]