Bears News: Ross on Christopher Morel's call-up: "Deserves a shot" |
Chicago Cubs utility infielder/outfielder
Christopher Morel was finally called up to the big leagues on Monday after a sizzling start to the 2023 season for the Iowa Cubs.
The Cubs were impressed with his play including Cubs manager David Ross. “He’s proven that Triple-A, he’s better than that league and deserves a shot here,” Ross said to the media. Morel, 23, batted .330 (38-for-115) with nine doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, 31 RBI, a .425 on-base percentage, a .730 slugging percentage, and a 1.155 OPS in 29 games for Iowa this season. “He’s deserving of the opportunity to prove that the first half of when he was up here last year is who he is,” Ross said. "I think we have a lot of confidence in that.” Morel made his major league debut with the Cubs in 2022, appearing in 113 games and hitting .235 (89-for-379) with 19 doubles, four triples, 16 home runs, 47 RBI and 10 stolen bases.
One of the reasons that he was demoted to Iowa to start the season was for him to get daily at-bats to work on his strikeout rate.
His strikeout rate last year finished at 32.2 percent in 425 plate appearances.
“He’s going to be ready when I put his name in the lineup," Ross said. "He’s going to be ready when I call his name off the bench,” Ross said. “That’s where he should be. There are a lot of guys that have long resumes that have earned playing time and earned contracts and earned a lot of things that are there. I think as a young player, you understand that, but you also gotta stay ready for your opportunity.”
With Nico Hoerner's hamstring injury running the bases on Monday night, it appears that Morel will get his chance to be in the lineup for the near future.
Let's see if he can make the impact that so many Cubs fans thinks he can for the ballclub.
