Cubs rookie Michael Busch homers in 5th consecutive game to equal club record
Chicago Cubs rookie Michael Busch has homered for the fifth straight game to match a franchise recordAPRIL 16 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHRISTOPHER MOREL #24 - THIRD BASEMAN - TAMPA BAY RAYS
21 HR •
60 RBI •
.196 AVG
21 HR
60 RBI
.196 AVG
Diamondbacks begin 3-game series against the Cubs
The Arizona Diamondbacks host the Chicago Cubs to begin a three-game seriesAPRIL 15 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Shota Imanaga continues strong start to major league career as Cubs top Mariners 4-1
Shota Imanaga allowed one unearned run over 5 1/3 innings, Michael Busch homered in his third straight game and the Chicago Cubs beat the Seattle Mariners 4-1APRIL 14 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mariners play the Cubs in first of 3-game series
The Seattle Mariners host the Chicago Cubs to start a three-game seriesAPRIL 12 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Christopher Morel's slam boosts Cubs over Padres Christopher Morel cracked a grand slam in a five-run fifth inning as the visiting Chicago Cubs bounced back from a bullpen breakdown on Mond...
APRIL 10 • KANSASCITY.COM
Morel's 1st career grand slam carries the Cubs to a 5-1 win over the Padres
Christopher Morel hit his first career grand slam and Yan Gomes also connected for the Chicago Cubs, who beat Joe Musgrove and the San Diego Padres 5-1APRIL 10 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cubs play the Dodgers in series rubber match
The Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers play on Sunday with the three-game series tied 1-1APRIL 7 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Yoshinobu Yamamoto gets first major league victory in Dodgers' 4-1 win over Cubs
Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched out of two early jams in five scoreless innings for his first career major league victory, Max Muncy hit a two-run single and the Los Angeles Dodgers bea...APRIL 6 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Christopher Morel experiment is a good idea (and the Cubs can always change their mind later) The Cubs have to find out what’s possible with Morel because right now they don’t have a better option to become an everyday third baseman.
APRIL 3 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Cody Bellinger hits a 2-run homer as the Chicago Cubs pound the Colorado Rockies 12-2
Cody Bellinger, Seiya Suzuki, Christopher Morel and Garrett Cooper homered, and the Chicago Cubs pounded the Colorado Rockies 12-2 for their third straight winAPRIL 3 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Collects two hits Morel went 2-for-3 with a run scored during Monday's 5-0 victory over the Rockies.
Impact Despite the modest stat line, Morel's sixth-inning single with two-men on was the impetus for the Cubs' victory as a misplay by left-fielder Nolan Jones saw the ball roll all the way to the wall and allowed both runners to score. Jones then added a throwing error on the same play that allowed Morel to complete the little-league home run. Unfortunately, Morel did not get credited with an RBI on the play but it's been a solid start to the season for the Cubs' third-baseman. Through four games he's collected seven hits in 17 at-bats with a homer, three RBI and four runs scored.
APRIL 2 • ROTOWIRE
Rockies LF Nolan Jones makes another defensive mistake in loss to Cubs
Nolan Jones made no excusesAPRIL 1 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Shota Imanaga stars in major league debut as Cubs beat Rockies 5-0 in Wrigley Field opener
Shota Imanaga pitched six sparkling innings in his major league debut, and the Chicago Cubs used another defensive mistake by Nolan Jones to beat the Colorado Rockies 5-0APRIL 1 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mistakes part of the process as Cubs try to maximize Christopher Morel's skill set Morel needs as many reps during a game as possible, so the Cubs will take the good with the bad if it means development for the player.
MARCH 8 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Starter at 3B won't be ST decision Cubs manager Craig Counsell said in an interview on MLB Network Radio on Monday that while he's been pleased with Morel's defensive work, the third base job is "not going to be sol...
Impact Morel is going to get an extended look at the hot corner and may very well be the long-term answer there, but Counsell doesn't plan to make that decision based on what happens in spring training. Worth noting is that Morel's chief competitors at the hot corner, Nick Madrigal (leg) and Patrick Wisdom (quad), are both banged up. Ultimately, Morel figures to garner plenty of at-bats, whether that's mostly at third base, designated hitter or bouncing around to many positions.
MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE
'It gives you energy:' Why the Cubs should appreciate the Christopher Morel experience With a new manager comes a new chance to stick at third base for Christopher Morel. "I’m working hard to be better this year,” he says.
FEBRUARY 23 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Where will Morel play in 2024? Counsell weighs in MESA, Ariz. – Dating back to the Winter Meetings, new Cubs manager Craig Counsell has talked up Christopher Morel's potential as an impact b...
FEBRUARY 18 • MLB.COM
Super utility role likely Cubs manager Craig Counsell and general manager Carter Hawkins indicated Saturday that Morel will likely continue to be used in a super utility role rather than focusing on one pos...
Impact Morel has made starts at every position other than first base and catcher during his two seasons in the majors, and he began working out at the former position during winter ball. The 24-year-old hasn't been able to master any spot yet and was used almost exclusively at designated hitter in the second half. As things currently stand, the Cubs would seem to have openings in center field and at third base (as well as DH), positions Morel has played plenty. However, the club doesn't appear anxious to keep Morel at one spot. The good news is Morel's bat should still be in the lineup plenty. He slashed .247/.313/.508 with 26 home runs over 107 games in 2023.
JANUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE
Why the Chicago Cubs could continue to move Christopher Morel around the diamond instead of playing him at one position Christopher Morel possesses the tools and athleticism to play multiple positions, something the 24-year-old has become accustomed to through...
JANUARY 15 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM
Column: The White Sox are moving — eventually. And Christopher Morel's value to the Cubs. Highlights from a sleepy winter meetings. With no blockbuster trades or mega signings to announce during the meetings— the Juan Soto deal came to light late Wednesday night— baseball...
DECEMBER 29, 2023 • TWINCITIES.COM
Column: The White Sox are moving — eventually. And Christopher Morel's value to the Cubs. Highlights from a sleepy winter meetings. With no blockbuster trades or mega signings to announce during the meetings— the Juan Soto deal came to light late Wednesday night— baseball...
DECEMBER 23, 2023 • TWINCITIES.COM
Blasts 26th home run Morel went 2-for-5 with a double, a solo home run and two runs scored in Saturday's win over the Brewers.
Impact Following up his 16-homer season as a rookie in 2022, Morel now has 26 home runs this year, and he's also boosted his batting average and OPS in his second MLB campaign. The 24-year-old has struck out more than 30% of the time in each of his first two seasons, however, which is something fantasy managers will want to see him improve upon moving forward.
OCTOBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Doubles, triples in loss Morel went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, a triple and a run scored in Friday's loss to the Brewers.
Impact Morel was productive from the No. 8 spot in the lineup, but the Cubs as a whole mustered only six hits and three runs in the defeat. The 24-year-old has recorded 44 extra-base hits among his 92 total hits this year, including 25 home runs, which has boosted his OPS to a solid .809. He should have a few more chances to contribute before the regular season wraps up.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Not in lineup Thursday Morel is absent from the lineup Thursday at Atlanta.
Impact Jeimer Candelario will serve as the Cubs' designated hitter with Miles Mastrobuoni playing third base. Morel, who also sat Wednesday, has gone 3-for-26 (.115) with seven strikeouts over his last seven games.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
