Keeler Morfe Typifies Orioles’ Approach To Signing Amateur Pitchers


As the Orioles have resuscitated their international program in the last six years under Koby Perez, they have followed the same blueprint they use in the draft.
They eschew large bonuses for pitchers and instead spread resources around with arms who fit their profile.
Still, it’s hard to profile someone as unique as 18-year-old Venezuelan righthander Keeler Morfe. Generously listed at 5-foot-8, 161 pounds, he rose quickly in the Orioles’ system in 2024 thanks to stuff that far exceeds what one would expect from someone his size.
Morfe signed for $200,000 as part of the Orioles’ 2023 signing class and then debuted in the Dominican Summer League. He returned to the DSL in 2024, but did not stay long.
Morfe struck out 44% of batters and posted a 0.82 ERA in 22 innings to earn a promotion to Low-A Delmarva, where he struggled a bit but still demonstrated an advanced arsenal for his age and level.
His fastball averaged 97.5 mph and topped out near 100 during the season, and one rival evaluator who saw Morfe in Delmarva put plus grades on his low-90s changeup and low-to-mid-80s sweeper.
Orioles player development staffers rave not only about Morfe’s arm speed and physical gifts that allow him to throw that hard with such a slight frame, but of his aptitude to learn and grow in the face of the serious challenges the Orioles have handed him.
They believe his pursuit of a cutter this offseason could add another weapon that has the potential to allow Morfe to move quickly and potentially jump into the top echelon of pitching prospects in an organization that’s starting to see more arm talent and international signees climbing up their prospect ranks.
“Almost half of our top 30 (prospects) being international players, that’s that vision (executive vice president) Mike (Elias) had from the first day,” Orioles vice president of scouting and player development Matt Blood said. “That’s part of how we keep our system strong.”