Darell Morel
Position: SS
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 190 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/R
Born: 09/15/2007
Country: Dominican Republic
How Acquired: International Free Agent, 2025
Bonus: $1,778,600
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2029
Minor League Free Agency: 2031
Options Left: 3
Overview
Morel’s signing was a bonus for the Pirates as a result of the Dodgers’ eventually successful pursuit of Roki Sasaki. That pursuit kept the Dodgers’ international pool money tied up through the January 15 signing date, and of course in the end used it all up. Morel had reached a handshake agreement to sign with the Dodgers, reached a couple years earlier, for a little under $1M, and he was their top international prospect. They wanted their signing class to hold off signing for a year, but Morel chose to sign with the Pirates for nearly twice as much money.
One reason for the increase in his bonus was that, in the period after he came to an agreement with the Dodgers, Morel hit a growth spurt and has good power now, with the potential for significantly more. He’s athletic with plus-plus speed. Some scouts figure his size will make him a candidate to move to third or the outfield, but the Pirates think he’ll be able to stay there. They see him as having a very high ceiling.
Stats
Fangraphs
Baseball-Reference
Transactions
January 15, 2025: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.