BALLER MOVE: Add in 15+ Team Leagues
ROSTERED IN: 18% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: Chicago Cubs utility man Christopher Morel is receiving a well-deserved call-up from Triple-A after slugging a scorching .730 over 134 plate appearances in the minors this season. The 23-year-old had 11 homers and four stolen bases for the Iowa Cubs, showcasing an intriguing blend of power and speed that has partly translated to the major-league level in the past. Morel had 16 big flies and 10 swipes over 425 plate appearances in 2022.
The versatile fielder has eligibility all across the diamond on Yahoo, and he is likely to receive most of his playing time either at third base or in the outfield. Morel could perhaps platoon at times with southpaw Cody Bellinger, although the former NL MVP is hitting lefties very well this year so far. Morel also affords the Cubs with another option at third base on occasions where the slugging Patrick Wisdom is going through a power outage.
The hard-hitting Morel registered a robust .447 expected weighted on-base average on contact in 2022, per Statcast. A lack of plate discipline, however, attributed to a reckless 32.2% strikeout rate last season. His barrel rate of 13.4% was in the top-10 percent of the majors last year, though, demonstrating his slugging potential and ability to hit the ball with authority on a consistent basis.
Morel is likely to hurt fantasy teams in the batting average category, and may be an especially harmful play in leagues which tally strikeouts for hitters. The speedy Morel does get on base a decent clip (8.9% walk rate in 2022) and signifies a threat to swipe a bag any time he gets aboard. The big-armed defender is likely to hit in the lower-third of the Cubs order for now, but he could work his way up the lineup with some strong play at the dish.
If you’re punting the average category, Morel becomes an even more appealing add in 14+ team leagues. The 23-year-old warrants attention even in other shallow mixed leagues for his ability to contribute in multiple categories and his unique position eligibility.
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