The Cubs’ Christopher Morel has impressed on offense in the first two years of his career. File photo.
Justin Casterline/Getty Images
MESA, Ariz. – Cubs manager Craig Counsell’s spring training plan for Christopher Morel begins at third base.
The question of where in the field to play Morel has been a point of interest for all of his young MLB career. In two years in the big-leagues, Morel has played every position but first base, pitcher and catcher. And playing in the Dominican Winter League this offseason, he worked out at first base. The Cubs even sent over coaches to oversee his early work. Last season he primarily served as the designated hitter.
“Christopher’s done so much with the bat that it’s our job to figure out the best way to deploy it,” Counsell said Saturday.
Counsell has spoken highly of Morel’s versatility – and defensive versatility in general. But now consistency will take precedence, at least at the start of spring training.
“To say he can play a lot of positions, yes,” Counsell said. “We have to play them at a certain level that makes sense for the bat to be in there, right? And it is harder to play multiple positions, no question about it.”
Morel has made highlight-worthy plays all around the field, showing off his strong arm in the outfield or his range and athleticism in the infield. But without consistency, he’s looked rushed at times, soaring a routine throw to first base or taking an inefficient route to a fly ball.
“My idea to start a camp is to focus mainly at third base,” Counsell said. “Let’s see where we’re at, let’s evaluate that as we go. But let’s give him a chance at third base, and let’s give him some consistency at third base, see where we’re at roster-wise at some point in camp, and then go forward from there.”
The Cubs also have infielders Nick Madrigal, Patrick Wisdom and Miles Mastrobuoni on the roster as options at third base.
CJ’s return
Right-hander Carl Edwards Jr. is back at the Cubs’ spring training complex for the first time since 2019.
“It’s still the same games, the same baseball, I’m still looking forward to winning with these guys,” he said Saturday. “It’s just a lot of new faces.”
Over the offseason, he signed a minor-league deal that included an invitation to major-league spring training. Since spending parts of the first five seasons of his MLB career with the Cubs, and winning a World Series for Chicago, Edwards has played for the Padres, Mariners, Braves, Blue Jays and Nationals.
“As long as I take care of my business, and do what I’ve got to do, and prove my durability, then I think I have a good chance to make the team,” he said.
Live batting practice begins
Veteran Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks went down the line of hitters sitting in foul territory after his live batting practice session on Saturday, thanking them for facing him and getting feedback on what they were seeing. He threw about 25 pitches.
The first live batting practice sessions of spring training got underway Saturday, with Hendricks and Javier Assad on one field, and Thomas Pannone, Bailey Horn and Porter Hodge scheduled to throw on another.