Position: IF
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 155 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 03/03/2005
Country: Dominican Republic
How Acquired: International Free Agent, 2022
Bonus: N/A
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2026
Minor League Free Agency: 2028
Options Left: 3
Overview
Morales is an infielder who has a chance to stick at shortstop. He’s not expected to develop much power, but could develop the contact skills to move forward. There were reports that he was taking up switch-hitting. If he has, MiLB.com hasn’t picked it up, which doesn’t mean much.
2022-24
In his first year, Morales held his own at the plate, especially for a 17-year-old. He drew a lot of walks and hit for some gap power. He played second, short and third, in descending order of frequency. The Pirates sent him back to the DSL in 2023 and his hitting changed little, except that he didn’t hit quite as well. His OPS went from .699 to .624. This time he played third most often.
Morales went back to the DSL in 2024 and hit about the same as before, at 206/372/327. He played mostly second and third, with a little time at short.
Stats
Transactions
January 15, 2022: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.