| IP | 101.1 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.53 |
| WHIP | 1.3 |
| BB/9 | 3.55 |
| SO/9 | 9.41 |
- Full name Michael Paul Morales
- Born 08/13/2002 in Enola, PA
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School East Pennsboro
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Drafted in the 3rd round (83rd overall) by the Seattle Mariners in 2021 (signed for $1,500,000).
View Draft Report
Morales draws scouts in with a polished delivery for a high school pitcher. It's smooth, easy and under control with arm action that's loose and fluid. It's a simple, repeatable delivery that he's had for years, with a fastball that reached the low 90s as a sophomore. His stuff has ticked up a little bit since then, but it's mostly still in that range. He operates at 90-93 mph on his best days with the ability to reach 94, though at other times he's been more 88-91 mph. His fastball has good life to it, especially when he pitches up in the zone. Morales also shows natural feel to spin a sharp 77-80 mph curveball, a solid-average pitch that could be plus as he refines its shape and consistency. Some scouts have seen Morales show feel for a changeup, with the arm action and ability to manipulate his stuff that bodes well for the development of it, though others haven't seen much from that pitch yet. Morales has good pitchabilty for his age and his delivery looks conducive to throwing strikes, though some scouts have seen bouts of inconsistent control from him. Morales isn't overpowering and doesn't have quite as much physical projection as some other prominent prep righthanders, but he's a comfortable bet to stick as a starter, so some scouts prefer him to other pitchers who throw harder now but have more reliever risk.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
Track Record: Morales emerged as an intriguing, projectable pitcher out of cold-weather Pennsylvania in the 2021 draft and signed with the Mariners for an above-slot $1.5 million after they selected him in the third round. He made his pro debut at Low-A Modesto in 2022 and displayed promising traits, but he also showed his stuff wasn't quite ready for full-season ball. Morales posted a 5.91 ERA, worst in the California League among qualified pitchers, and gave up 143 hits, tied for most in the league.
Scouting Report: Morales has the foundation to be a major league starter despite his poor debut. He has an athletic, 6-foot-2 frame and a polished, repeatable delivery that allows him to pound the strike zone with above-average control. He possesses a unique ability to shape his pitches and can throw four offerings for strikes at any time. Morales' pitchability and control are in place, but he needs to get stronger to improve his stuff. His fastball features below-average velocity at 89-92 mph and his upper-70s curveball needs more power and bite to reach its above-average potential. He added a mid-80s slider to try and give him another power offering, but it's a well below-average pitch that is still developing. His fringy changeup remains a work in progress. Morales is a smart, cerebral individual who actively seeks out information to improve, but his commitment to working out and getting stronger left Mariners officials underwhelmed in his pro debut.
The Future: Morales has the potential to be a back-of-the-rotation starter, but only if he gets stronger and grows into more velocity. He'll head to High-A Everett in 2023.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Curveball: 55. Slider: 30. Changeup: 45. Control: 55 -
Track Record: Morales stood out for his polished delivery on the summer showcase circuit and followed with a 0.77 ERA for East Pennsboro High his senior spring. The Mariners drafted him in the third round and signed him for an above-slot $1.5 million bonus to forgo a Vanderbilt commitment. He made only one appearance after signing due to an unspecified elbow injury.
Scouting Report: Morales is a prototypical projectable teenaged righthander. He is a good athlete in his 6-foot-2 frame and has a smooth, repeatable delivery and arm action that allows him to pound the strike zone with three pitches. His fastball ranges from 88-92 mph and touches 94 with late life up in the zone. His best secondary is a sharp, 77-80 mph curveball that he shows a natural feel to spin, and he rounds out his arsenal with a changeup that flashes average but lacks consistency. Morales has room to get stronger and add velocity and power to all his pitches. He is extremely intelligent and has an advanced understanding of pitch design and high-tech training methods.
The Future: Morales has many years of strength gains ahead, but he has the potential to be a back-of-the-rotation starter if everything clicks. He is expected to be ready for 2022 spring training.
Draft Prospects
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Morales draws scouts in with a polished delivery for a high school pitcher. It's smooth, easy and under control with arm action that's loose and fluid. It's a simple, repeatable delivery that he's had for years, with a fastball that reached the low 90s as a sophomore. His stuff has ticked up a little bit since then, but it's mostly still in that range. He operates at 90-93 mph on his best days with the ability to reach 94, though at other times he's been more 88-91 mph. His fastball has good life to it, especially when he pitches up in the zone. Morales also shows natural feel to spin a sharp 77-80 mph curveball, a solid-average pitch that could be plus as he refines its shape and consistency. Some scouts have seen Morales show feel for a changeup, with the arm action and ability to manipulate his stuff that bodes well for the development of it, though others haven't seen much from that pitch yet. Morales has good pitchabilty for his age and his delivery looks conducive to throwing strikes, though some scouts have seen bouts of inconsistent control from him. Morales isn't overpowering and doesn't have quite as much physical projection as some other prominent prep righthanders, but he's a comfortable bet to stick as a starter, so some scouts prefer him to other pitchers who throw harder now but have more reliever risk.
Scouting Reports
-
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
Track Record: Morales emerged as an intriguing, projectable pitcher out of cold-weather Pennsylvania in the 2021 draft and signed with the Mariners for an above-slot $1.5 million after they selected him in the third round. He made his pro debut at Low-A Modesto in 2022 and displayed promising traits, but he also showed his stuff wasn't quite ready for full-season ball. Morales posted a 5.91 ERA, worst in the California League among qualified pitchers, and gave up 143 hits, tied for most in the league.
Scouting Report: Morales has the foundation to be a major league starter despite his poor debut. He has an athletic, 6-foot-2 frame and a polished, repeatable delivery that allows him to pound the strike zone with above-average control. He possesses a unique ability to shape his pitches and can throw four offerings for strikes at any time. Morales' pitchability and control are in place, but he needs to get stronger to improve his stuff. His fastball features below-average velocity at 89-92 mph and his upper-70s curveball needs more power and bite to reach its above-average potential. He added a mid-80s slider to try and give him another power offering, but it's a well below-average pitch that is still developing. His fringy changeup remains a work in progress. Morales is a smart, cerebral individual who actively seeks out information to improve, but his commitment to working out and getting stronger left Mariners officials underwhelmed in his pro debut.
The Future: Morales has the potential to be a back-of-the-rotation starter, but only if he gets stronger and grows into more velocity. He'll head to High-A Everett in 2023.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Curveball: 55. Slider: 30. Changeup: 45. Control: 55 -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
Track Record: Morales emerged as an intriguing, projectable pitcher out of cold-weather Pennsylvania in the 2021 draft and signed with the Mariners for an above-slot $1.5 million after they selected him in the third round. He made his pro debut at Low-A Modesto in 2022 and displayed promising traits, but he also showed his stuff wasn't quite ready for full-season ball. Morales posted a 5.91 ERA, worst in the California League among qualified pitchers, and gave up 143 hits, tied for most in the league.
Scouting Report: Morales has the foundation to be a major league starter despite his poor debut. He has an athletic, 6-foot-2 frame and a polished, repeatable delivery that allows him to pound the strike zone with above-average control. He possesses a unique ability to shape his pitches and can throw four offerings for strikes at any time. Morales' pitchability and control are in place, but he needs to get stronger to improve his stuff. His fastball features below-average velocity at 89-92 mph and his upper-70s curveball needs more power and bite to reach its above-average potential. He added a mid-80s slider to try and give him another power offering, but it's a well below-average pitch that is still developing. His fringy changeup remains a work in progress. Morales is a smart, cerebral individual who actively seeks out information to improve, but his commitment to working out and getting stronger left Mariners officials underwhelmed in his pro debut.
The Future: Morales has the potential to be a back-of-the-rotation starter, but only if he gets stronger and grows into more velocity. He'll head to High-A Everett in 2023.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Curveball: 55. Slider: 30. Changeup: 45. Control: 55 -
BA Grade: 45/Very High
Track Record: Morales stood out for his polished delivery on the summer showcase circuit and followed with a 0.77 ERA for East Pennsboro High his senior spring. The Mariners drafted him in the third round and signed him for an above-slot $1.5 million bonus to forgo a Vanderbilt commitment. He made only one appearance after signing due to an unspecified elbow injury.
Scouting Report: Morales is a prototypical projectable teenaged righthander. He is a good athlete in his 6-foot-2 frame and has a smooth, repeatable delivery and arm action that allows him to pound the strike zone with three pitches. His fastball ranges from 88-92 mph and touches 94 with late life up in the zone. His best secondary is a sharp, 77-80 mph curveball that he shows a natural feel to spin, and he rounds out his arsenal with a changeup that flashes average but lacks consistency. Morales has room to get stronger and add velocity and power to all his pitches. He is extremely intelligent and has an advanced understanding of pitch design and high-tech training methods.
The Future: Morales has many years of strength gains ahead, but he has the potential to be a back-of-the-rotation starter if everything clicks. He is expected to be ready for 2022 spring training. -
Track Record: Morales stood out for his polished delivery on the summer showcase circuit and followed with a 0.77 ERA for East Pennsboro High his senior spring. The Mariners drafted him in the third round and signed him for an above-slot $1.5 million bonus to forgo a Vanderbilt commitment. He made only one appearance after signing due to an unspecified elbow injury.
Scouting Report: Morales is a prototypical projectable teenaged righthander. He is a good athlete in his 6-foot-2 frame and has a smooth, repeatable delivery and arm action that allows him to pound the strike zone with three pitches. His fastball ranges from 88-92 mph and touches 94 with late life up in the zone. His best secondary is a sharp, 77-80 mph curveball that he shows a natural feel to spin, and he rounds out his arsenal with a changeup that flashes average but lacks consistency. Morales has room to get stronger and add velocity and power to all his pitches. He is extremely intelligent and has an advanced understanding of pitch design and high-tech training methods.
The Future: Morales has many years of strength gains ahead, but he has the potential to be a back-of-the-rotation starter if everything clicks. He is expected to be ready for 2022 spring training.
