Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | PHI | RHP | 4 | 50 |
Grades Update: Feb 2021
| OFP | Role | FB | SL | CH | Cnt/Cmd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 50 | 60 | 40 | 45/40 |
Feb 2021 Report
Evaluator: Geoff Pontes
Age: 21 yr
Height: 6-4
Weight: 190 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2016 IFA
RuleV: On 40 Man Roster
Physical Description: Tall, lean, long levers, with remaining projection throughout the frame. Broad shouldered, looks bigger than listed weight but very strong frame. Bigger righthander.
Delivery & Mechanics: Semi-windup; drop and drive delivery; 3/4 arm slot; long arm action; moderate leg lift timing mechanism that closes off his frontside; does not repeat consistently; easy operation; glute dominant operation.
Fastball: 93-95 mph; touch 96-97 mph at peak; cuts the pitch, higher raw spin with inefficient shape, lacks true backspin. Despite mid-90s velocity the pitch doesn't miss many bats and tends to get squared up too frequently. Commands the upper quadrants better than the lower. His ability to land the pitch low and inside will be a differentiator, unfortunately he has yet to master the art of pitching inside. Grade: 50
Slider: 82-85 mph; late break and depth; slurvy break with 11-7 shape. Shows the ability to manipulate the pitch for wipeout shape. Plus swing and miss offering that controls hard contact. Will double and triple up in the pitch when he's locked in. Average control and command of the pitch. Grade: 60
Changeup: Straight changeup, 86-87 mph with late run on the offerings he gets around. Mostly used early in counts as a change of pace. Developed better feel as 2019 went on. Below average at present, but shows glimpses of a third pitch. Grade: 40
Control and Command: Fringe average control, that comes and goes. Some innings Morales will lock in and live around the zone, others he'll lose complete feel altogether. Fastball and slider command come and go. Some days he'll struggle to locate gloveside and others armside. No consistency to his command problems. Lots of movement on slider leads to difficulty locating with repetitive success. Control: 45 | Command: 40
Overall: An explosive but enigmatic arm talent with plus stuff but a below average command+control profile. Development of his command will be the most important step for Morales in 2021. If he shows the ability to consistently throw strikes with his fastball+slider combination there's a very real shot Morales could develop into a number four or five starter. If he's able to improve his command and develop his changeup there's mid-rotation upside. A wide range of outcomes from mid-rotation arm to average high leverage reliever. Ultimately his plus velocity and plus secondary give him a comfortable floor between number five starter and high leverage relief.
OFP: 50
Role: 50 - Average High Leverage Reliever
Risk: High
