Luis Morales

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Oakland Athletics #29 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Morales was a standout pitcher in Cuba's 18U national league in 2020, posting an ERA 0.87 with 135 strikeouts and 18 walks in 82.2 innings for Sancti Spiritus. His innings and strikeouts both led the league, with 48 strikeouts more than the next pitcher in the league. Morales left Cuba and signed with the Athletics as a 20-year-old for $3 million when the international signing period opened in January 2023.
  
  Scouting Report: Morales stands out for his athleticism and velocity. He has touched 97 mph and still has the physical projection left in his frame as well as the arm speed for another tick or two to still add to his fastball once he gains weight and strength. His slider is his best secondary weapon and has a chance to develop into an out pitch for him. While some international scouts thought Morales had a chance to start, several others did have concern that Morales might ultimately end up in the bullpen and thought he would need to develop a better third pitch.
  
  The Future: Recent big money international signings for the A's have struggled, but Morales will look to turn around that track record.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 55. Changeup: 40. Control: 45.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Morales was a standout pitcher in Cuba's 18U national league in 2020, posting an ERA 0.87 with 135 strikeouts and 18 walks in 82.2 innings for Sancti Spiritus. His innings and strikeouts both led the league, with 48 strikeouts more than the next pitcher in the league. Morales left Cuba and signed with the Athletics as a 20-year-old for $3 million when the international signing period opened in January 2023.
  
  Scouting Report: Morales stands out for his athleticism and velocity. He has touched 97 mph and still has the physical projection left in his frame as well as the arm speed for another tick or two to still add to his fastball once he gains weight and strength. His slider is his best secondary weapon and has a chance to develop into an out pitch for him. While some international scouts thought Morales had a chance to start, several others did have concern that Morales might ultimately end up in the bullpen and thought he would need to develop a better third pitch.
  
  The Future: Recent big money international signings for the A's have struggled, but Morales will look to turn around that track record.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 55. Changeup: 40. Control: 45.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Morales was a standout pitcher in Cuba's 18U national league in 2020, posting an ERA 0.87 with 135 strikeouts and 18 walks in 82.2 innings for Sancti Spiritus. His innings and strikeouts both led the league, with 48 strikeouts more than the next pitcher in the league. Morales left Cuba and signed with the Athletics as a 20-year-old for $3 million when the international signing period opened in January 2023.
  
  Scouting Report: Morales stands out for his athleticism and velocity. He has touched 97 mph and still has the physical projection left in his frame as well as the arm speed for another tick or two to still add to his fastball once he gains weight and strength. His slider is his best secondary weapon and has a chance to develop into an out pitch for him. While some international scouts thought Morales had a chance to start, several others did have concern that Morales might ultimately end up in the bullpen and thought he would need to develop a better third pitch.
  
  The Future: Recent big money international signings for the A's have struggled, but Morales will look to turn around that track record.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 55. Changeup: 40. Control: 45.