Chicago Cubs Young Star Predicted to 'Explode' This Season
In this story:
The Chicago Cubs have plenty of young talent within their organization who is looking to take the next steps in their careers and become contributors at the Major League level.
That happened for a few of their prominent names in 2023.
Javier Assad, Jordan Wicks, Christopher Morel and others were able to play a big role last season.
To finish their short rebuilding phase that got them some of the star prospects, they need those who already got their first MLB experience to continue growing as players.
Morel will be one who gets a lot of attention this year.
After putting together a great offensive performance with a slash line of .247/.313/.508, 26 home runs and 70 RBI across 107 games, the Cubs will be looking for him to take that next step.
Ideally, the 24-year-old will become their long-term answer at third base.
This would solve two problems.
They'd be able to keep the hitting prowess that Morel possesses in the lineup, while also not tying up the designated hitter role for one person, and they would no longer have a revolving door at that corner infield position.
Even if Chicago can't find a true defensive spot for him, he can still be an asset to this team.
Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report has tabbed Morel as an underrated player who is going to explode this season based on his hitting profile.
"... it would behoove the Cubs to find a way to get Morel's bat into the lineup every day ... Regardless of how the rest of the lineup shakes out, Morel needs to get 500 at-bats in 2024," he writes.
The slugger only had 388 at-bats and 429 plate appearances last season.
During those relatively limited opportunities, he still put up awesome offensive numbers.
Imagine what he could do with more time at the plate.
If that does happen, then Morel could certainly have an impressive year in 2024.
