(670 The Score) After coming on the scene in 2022 with a blast of energy and an endearing personality, Cubs utilityman Christopher Morel’s role with the club remains a question as spring training is underway.
The 23-year-old Morel made 50 starts in center field, 28 starts at second base and 16 starts at third base in 2022, but the Cubs now have more players solidified in their positions after additions this offseason. Cody Bellinger is set to be the Cubs’ primary center fielder, while the arrival of star shortstop Dansby Swanson has shifted Nico Hoerner over to be the everyday second baseman. Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki are entrenched in the corner outfield spots.
So where does Morel fit in with his talents?
“There are definitely more set positions now,” manager David Ross told reporters. “He certainly has a bright future ahead of him. We will see where this spring training takes him. We have some more established players this year. I think he could bounce around the outfield for us and be a fourth outfielder. He could be a utility player. He can play any infield position other than first base. There is still a lot of growth potential for him.”
Morel hit .235 with 16 homers, 47 RBIs and a .741 OPS in 113 games in 2022. It’s possible the Cubs could send him to Triple-A Iowa to start the season if they feel like everyday at-bats and repetitions on defense would serve his development better than getting sporadic playing time at the big league level.
“We will see how the spring shakes out health-wise for us,” Ross said. “But Christopher put himself on the map last year with some really important swings. For a couple of months, he really swung the bat well. At the end, he had some adversity too. So he still for me has a very bright future ahead of him.”
The Cubs have a handful of players battling for their bench spots, including infield depth in the form of Nick Madrigal, Zach McKinstry, Edwin Rios and Miles Mastrobuoni.
For his part, Morel is confident that he has grown from the roller-coaster ride that was his rookie campaign.
"I learned a lot from the veterans on the team,” Morel said. “I learned a lot from Willson (Contreras). I needed to learn a routine about how to be more consistent and have more discipline in what I do. I focused this offseason on body strength and gaining more weight. The baseball side was more concentration in my at-bats.”
Morel’s goals for 2023 are to cut down on his strikeouts, draw more walks and steal more bases.
"I just keep working like I normally work,” Morel said. “One day I work on infield play, the next on outfield. Maybe the third day, I work on both. I will just be prepared for wherever they need me. My job is to play where they want me and help the team win a World Series. That is my focus.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
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