Morel Makes Admission on His Return to Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs fan favorite makes an admission on his return to the Chicago Cubs.

Author:
Andy Jasner
Publish date:
May 9, 2023 12:35 PM EDT

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Chicago Cubs

Christopher Morel made a big splash with the Chicago Cubs last season.

Morel hit a home run in his first career at-bat. He slashed .235/.308/.433 with 16 homers in 113 games.

Along the way, Morel bonded with the fan base and his teammates.

He began this season in Triple-A because of the added depth accumulated by president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer.

Morel didn’t wilt, didn’t pout. In 29 games in Triple-A, the 23-year-old Morel slashed .330/.425/.730. He hit 11 homers, nine doubles and two triples, drove in 31 runs and scored 31 runs.

He can play multiple outfield and infield positions.

Even though his strikeout rate is a bit high, he has earned this call-up.

“Everybody knows I have a problem with my strikeouts,” Morel told reporters. “I made adjustments. I tried to have good at-bats, make more contact, put the ball more in play. That’s what I was working on. Thank God for this. I worked on this and I made it. I’m here.”

The Cubs don’t exactly know how Morel will fit in. They do know that he’ll be a big addition.

“I don't know that there's this big path for everyday at-bats,” manager David Ross said. “(Having some) some ability to mix Mo in from time to time is probably going to be the role, more than just everyday at-bats, for sure.”

Matt Mervis, who was just called up to the Cubs, played with Morel in Triple-A.

He saw the potential.

“Every at-bat was a good at-bat,” Mervis said. “Against some of the better pitchers we saw, it ended with a bullet RBI double off the big wall in left or a home run. It was always productive. Every at-bat, you just knew Morel was going to do something good.”

Now Mervis and Morel are teammates once again with the Cubs. This was anticipated in spring training. Now it’s sweet reality.

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