RADIO
As we move into week 8 of the 2023 MLB season, statistics and trends start to stabilize as we learn new information. This piece will discuss recent player promotions that have given their ballclubs an edge from their instant offensive output.
Christopher Morel and Casey Schmitt are two young hitters that have provided an instant boost after receiving the call to the majors. Both are under 24 years old and have been crushing it in the minor leagues this season. Schmitt carries more prospect pedigree than Morel, ranking as the number four prospect in the Giants' current system. Prospect rankings haven't seemed to faze Morel in the past after not being featured for Cubs last year before his call-up. Morel flashed his power and speed combination at the end of 2022 and has done the same so far into 2023.
How should we react and adjust expectations as fantasy managers? Let’s examine how Morel and Schmitt stack up against other young emerging hitters and try to pinpoint how sustainable their production might be going forward.
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Christopher Morel, Chicago Cubs
Morel was promoted last year for the Cubs, totaling 113 games while the club battled through injuries. He filled a super-utility role for a roster that was shopping their superstars before the trade deadline. He made starts all over the diamond but most of them came in the outfield and at second base.
As far as positional utility goes, it is much of the same in 2023, as Morel received the call to the majors with second baseman Nico Hoerner suffering a hamstring injury. Morel will look to stick around the big-league club, even when Hoerner returns if he can play himself into an everyday role.
Morel finished 2022 with 16 home runs, 47 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and a .235/.308/.433 slash line after starting his career on fire. He was labeled as a breakout hitter last year, hitting .283 with five home runs and seven stolen bases through his first month in the majors. He cooled off the remainder of the year and left fantasy managers scratching their heads. Morel’s hot start last year wasn’t convincing enough for the Cubs either, as Morel was left off the opening-day roster in 2023.
Morel, fortunately, forced the Cubs' hand through 29 games at Triple-A in 2023. He hit .330 with 11 home runs, 31 RBI, and four stolen bases. His 1.155 OPS ranked third across Triple-A before his call-up. Morel’s red-hot start has bled into his second chance against major league pitching. Since being recalled on May 8, he’s hitting .333 with four home runs, nine RBI, and one stolen base through seven major league games. He also has at least one hit in every game played, making starts at second base and in the outfield.
His versatility from last year provides fantasy managers with the flexibility to fit Morel into their lineups while being eligible at 2B, 3B, SS, and OF for 2023. The 23-year-old is playing like a must-add bat off the waiver wire and has been featured in the leadoff spot three times in seven chances.
The righty has shown elite exit velocity numbers in both seasons, ranking in the 92nd percentile at 113.6 mph, per Statcast. However, he may be more valuable in category leagues compared to points leagues because of his plate discipline issues. He’s sporting a 38.5 strikeout rate so far in 2023 and has advertised his aggressive approach at the plate in the minors this season and last.
His dynamic skill set at the top of the Cubs lineup is enough to get excited about as most fantasy managers would like to take a shot at rostering a talent like Morel.
Casey Schmitt, San Francisco Giants
Besides Marco Luciano, Casey Schmitt was the Giants top hitting prospect heading into 2023. He finally got his shot in the majors after veteran Brandon Crawford went down due to injury. Schmitt has hit his way into everyday playing time, even with veterans returning from injury. He’s made starts at shortstop, second base, and now, third base.
The Giants do a great job of playing matchups and never overplaying any hitter, even if they’re locked in at the plate. Schmitt is looking to establish himself as the everyday third baseman over veterans J.D. Davis and Wilmer Flores. He has made a great first impression on manager Gabe Kapler, hitting safely in every game but one to start his major league career.
Since his call-up on May 9, Schmitt is off to a fantastic start. Over the past week, Schmitt has 12 hits, the most from any player in the entire MLB over that span. That’s exactly how you make a name for yourself and force your manager into writing your name on the lineup card. Schmitt’s hot start seems out of the blue, but he’s surprisingly hit over .300 across two high minor stops the past two seasons before forcing the Giants' hand this year.
Through eight games with the Giants, Schmitt has an impressive .438 batting average with two home runs and five RBI. He’s found himself in the back half of the lineup, specifically batting seventh on most days. The lineup spot hasn’t limited his production, generating five multi-hit games so far in 2023.
Prior to his promotion, Schmitt was hitting .381 through five May games at Triple-A Sacramento. Even though his power output was lacking throughout his minor league career, Schmitt has managed to make the most of his skill set. He’s surpassed his home run total in the majors compared to the minors where he only connected for one home run in 2023. He’s also shown an above-average max exit velocity of 111.6 mph with the Giants, ranking in the 79th percentile according to Statcast.
Compared to Morel, Schmitt is more suited for points leagues as he’s showcased a 14 percent strikeout rate so far in the majors and put together a 23 percent strikeout rate last year in the minors.
Regardless of format, both of these young hitters are providing instant offense for fantasy managers while swinging a hot bat. Take advantage if they’re still available in your league!
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