Pirates Top 30 Prospects No. 13: Darell Morel Emerging as One of Top Hitters in Organization
This is one in a series of stories breaking down PBN’s Top 30 Pittsburgh Pirates prospects.
Who would’ve thought the Los Angeles Dodgers’ decision to sign Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki during last year’s international cycle would benefit the Pirates?
The expectation was that prospect Darell Morel would sign with the Dodgers, but as it started to look possible that Los Angeles would ink Sasaki, Morel had to change plans. The Pirates took advantage of the opportunity and landed him for $1.8 million.
After one season in the organization, the Pirates have to be pleased with how things played out.
Morel totaled 50 games in the Dominican Summer League in his first season in the Pirates’ organization and played at a high level. The now 18-year-old slashed .287/.425/.414 (132 wRC+) with nine doubles, four triples, one home run, 25 RBI and 26 stolen bases while manning shortstop defensively. He was named a DSL All-Star.
Morel, a native of the Dominican Republic who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 170 pounds, has a solid skillset and is said to have a high baseball IQ with good instincts.
During his first season of professional baseball, Morel displayed an overall strong hitting approach and the ability to draw walks (18.3% walk rate). As he matures and develops physically, you have to imagine there will be more power generated with his already-big frame.
While he has solid tools across the board, his arm — which MLB Pipeline gives a 55-grade — is likely his best. It plays at his current position at shortstop and will play at third base if that’s where he ends up playing when all said and done.
Though it’s early in his career and will still be years before he’s close to reaching the big leagues, Morel is a prospect in the Pirates’ system with his arrow pointed up. For an organization that is in need of as much offensive help as it can get, Morel offers serious upside.
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