Chicago Cubs outfielder Christopher Morel struggled at the plate after a hitless game with two strikeouts Wednesday. Morel is now 5-for-37 in his last 10 games with one double, one homer, seven RBI, and 11 strikeouts. Like his outfield partner, Ian Happ, he had a strong start to the season but has also hit a wall. He should be able to get back on track with favorable matchups in the upcoming series versus the Miami Marlins.

Chicago Cubs infielder Christopher Morel is focusing on playing third base as Spring Training gets underway, manager Craig Counsell told the media on Saturday. The Cubs' new skipper explained that he wants to maximize Morel's impact both in the field and at the plate, and he thinks he can do so by giving the 24-year-old a more consistent role on defense. To be precise, Counsell said, "Christopher's done so much with the bat, that it's our job to figure out the best way to deploy it." Indeed, Morel impressed through 107 games last year, slashing .247/.313/.508 with 26 homers, 71 RBI, and 119 wRC+. He was the Cubs' designated hitter for more than half the season, adding 28 appearances in the outfield and 26 in the infield, including five at third base. He finished 2023 with -12.9 dWAR.

Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said that the team isn't trying to trade utility player Christopher Morel this offseason. And as far as where Morel will play in 2024, they view him as a game-changing hitter whom the Cubs want to keep in their lineup, whether he's playing one spot or moving around. Morel has appeared at each outfield spot, shortstop, second base and third base in his career, but he made 61 appearances in 107 games as the designated hitter in 2023 while hitting 26 home runs, which was tied with Cody Bellinger for the team lead. Morel didn't make his season debut until May 9 and was tied for 19th in MLB with a .508 slugging percentage. Not only can Morel hit and hit for power, but he could give fantasy managers some nice positional flexibility in 2024. Third base and first base, in addition to DH, might be the most realistic for Chicago.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell and general manager Carter Hawkins said on Saturday that outfielder Christopher Morel will likely be used in a super-utility role again in 2024 rather than focusing on just one position. Morel has been working some at first base this winter and he's played every position but first base and catcher in his two seasons in the majors to this point. The 24-year-old right-handed slugger was mostly used as a designated hitter in the second half of last season. He could bounce around from the outfield, third base, first base and DH in his third big-league campaign. Of all the options on the diamond, Morel should be in the lineup regularly. Morel has a lot of power (26 home runs, .821 OPS), but he strikes out a third of the time and can be very streaky for fantasy managers. If he can cut down on the K's, he could break out.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Christopher Morel's name has come up in talks with the Tampa Bay Rays about right-hander Tyler Glasnow. The Rays are expected to trade Glasnow this offseason, potentially right after two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani decides his next team. In addition to the Cubs, the Cincinnati Reds and their glut of young talent already at the major-league level are interested in potentially dealing for Glasnow. Morel can also play third base but has been more of a designated-hitter type for the Cubs. He's streaky at the plate but has impressive power from the right side of the batter's box. The 24-year-old Dominican slugger hit .247 (96-for-388) with a career-high 26 home runs, 70 RBI and six stolen bases in 107 games for the Cubs in 2023 in just his second year in the majors. Morel does have 270 strikeouts to boot in 220 games over two seasons.

Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said that outfielder Christopher Morel is playing first base in winter ball and is likely to stay there heading into next season. Morel broke out in his second major-league season in 2023 with a .247/.313/.508 slash line, an .821 OPS, 26 home runs, 17 doubles, three triples, 70 RBI, six stolen bases and 62 runs scored for the Cubbies in 107 games played and could be a regular option for Chicago at the cold corner in 2024. The 24-year-old was used mostly at designated hitter in the second half of last season. He has the propensity to be streaky at the plate -- he has a 31.6 percent strikeout rate and only an 8.7 percent walk rate in his first two MLB seasons -- but there's no arguing with his raw power. Morel would only become more attractive in fantasy if he adds first-base eligibility next year.

Chicago Cubs infielder Christopher Morel is out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Atlanta Braves. The 24-year-old will hit the bench for what appears to be a routine rest day. Morel is in the middle of a 3-for-26 slump at the plate, so it's not shocking to see the Cubs giving him the day off. Jeimer Candelario (back) will make his return and play first base, while Miles Mastrobuoni covers third base versus right-hander Darius Vines on Wednesday.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Christopher Morel will start on the bench again on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The left-handed-hitting Mike Tauchman will start in right field and will hit ninth for the Cubs against Pirates left-hander Rob Zastryzny. Seiya Suzuki is serving as the designated hitter and is batting fifth. Morel is sitting for the second straight game while struggling in the month of August, going 9-for-66 (.136) with three home runs, three doubles, 11 RBI, 26 strikeouts and five runs scored in 19 games (17 starts). The 24-year-old has provided nice power in deeper leagues with 19 home runs and 60 RBI in only 82 games in his second year in the big leagues, but he's a streaky and inconsistent hitter as well.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Christopher Morel is not in the starting lineup on Friday against the visiting Atlanta Braves. Ian Happ is starting in left field and batting third, while Yan Gomes is serving as the designated hitter and batting fifth in the lineup against Braves left-hander Max Fried. Morel is having a strong season in his second year in the big leagues, slashing .282/.342/.552 with an .894 OPS, 17 home runs, 12 doubles, a triple,, 52 RBI, four stolen bases and 47 runs scored in 65 games played. He's currently riding a 10-game hitting streak in which he's gone 14-for-40 (.350) with two long balls, four doubles, 10 RBI, two steals and nine runs scored. Morel should be back in Chicago's starting lineup on Saturday.

Chicago Cubs infielder Christopher Morel had a nice game on Thursday, going 3-for-4 with a walk, a double, three runs scored, and two RBI in a 10-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. Morel has been a solid contributor this season since his call-up in early May and although he has slowed down a bit, he has maintained an .890 OPS. Having seen what he can do when he gets hot (nine homers in his first 12 games), and with a relatively safe floor otherwise, Morel should be rostered in almost all formats, excluding shallow points leagues where his strikeout issues make him fringy.

Chicago Cubs infielder Christopher Morel (neck) is back in the starting lineup on Wednesday against the visiting Washington Nationals and right-hander Trevor Williams, starting at second base and batting sixth. Morel was scratched from Chicago's lineup on Tuesday due to neck tightness, but he'll return just a day later. The 24-year-old Dominican went on a homer binge earlier this year when he was called up from the minors. He's slowed down in terms of the over-the-fence power, but he's still hitting a respectable .276/.327/.556 with an .883 OPS, 15 home runs, 41 RBI and 37 runs in his second major-league season. Morel hasn't homered since July 2 but has gone 14-for-51 (.275) with three doubles, seven RBI, a steal and seven runs scored in 13 games in July to this point.

Chicago Cubs utility player Christopher Morel went 3-for-5 with a home run, a double, three RBI, and two runs scored in a 10-3 rout of the Baltimore Orioles on Friday. The 23-year-old got his batting average back over .300 for the first time since the end of May with consecutive three-hit attacks. Morel is enjoying a remarkable turnaround after a miserable 2-for-32 plunge. The speedy slugger is following it up for a stunning 11-for-25 stretch with three homers and 11 RBI over his last seven contests. Morel is right back on the mixed-league map and should be picked up off waiver wires with his tailspin behind him for now. Just be prepared for a bumpy ride with the right-hander, who once took MLB by storm with nine long balls across his initial 53 at-bats of the campaign.

Chicago Cubs utility man Christopher Morel will not start for the third straight game on Thursday versus the Los Angeles Angels. The 23-year-old is losing his grip on a major-league roster spot with Cody Bellinger's return getting closer, although Patrick Wisdom hasn't hit much better lately. Morel's meteoric rise (nine homers over first 49 at-bats) has been marred by a 2-for-29 tailspin since May 24. The speedy right-hander hopes to get back in the lineup at some point during a weekend series with the San Francisco Giants. Fantasy managers in shallow leagues can let go of Morel while he's out of the team's favor, but the upside he once demonstrated means he should not be forgotten about on waivers.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Christopher Morel remains out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. The 23-year-old will miss his second game in a row after going 2-for-29 over his last 10 games. Despite his recent struggles, Morel is still slashing .256/.318/.641 with nine home runs and 15 RBI in 21 games with the Cubs. Mike Tauchman will cover center field and bat fifth versus right-hander Jaime Barria on Wednesday.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Christopher Morel is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's contest against Tyler Anderson and the Los Angeles Angels. The 23-year-old came on strong this year and is slashing .256/.318/.641 over 22 games, but hasn't recorded a hit since April 26 and is losing playing time. Instead, it will be catcher Miguel Amaya who takes his spot as the designated hitter, batting sixth. The rookie backstop is the Cubs top -14 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, and he's hitting .316 with a .890 OPS across eight games since his promotion. Amaya can give fantasy managers some offensive production in deeper leagues after posting a career .246/.348/.390 slash line in the minors.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Christopher Morel is not in the starting lineup on Wednesday against right-hander Zach Eflin and the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. It's the second time in the series against the Rays that Morel will begin on the bench. After taking the league by storm initially after his call-up, the 23-year-old has started to slump. He's still hitting a strong .286 (20-for-70) with nine home runs and 15 RBI in just 18 games, but he hasn't homered since his five-game long-ball streak ended on May 23. Since then, he has just two hits in 21 at-bats with one walk and nine strikeouts in six games. Morel's 37.8 percent strikeout rate is alarming. He's worth holding onto if you're chasing power, but his batting average is going to come down considerably if he keeps whiffing at this rate.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Christopher Morel is taking a seat for Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays and rookie right-hander Taj Bradley. Morel will get a day to rest after starting each of the team's last 17 games after being called up from the minors. The 23-year-old has been a revelation for the Cubbies and fantasy managers alike, although he has cooled off considerably in the last handful of games. Morel has gone 1-for-14 with five strikeouts in his last four games, but he's still hitting .299 (20-for-67) with three doubles, nine home runs, 15 RBI, a stolen base and 17 runs scored in 17 games played. He also has only four walks and 26 strikeouts, though, so if the home runs evaporate, Morel could struggle. Edwin Rios is serving as the designated hitter and batting seventh against Bradley.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Christopher Morel continues to tear the cover off the baseball, as he went 1-for-4 with his sixth home run of the season, two RBI, three runs scored, a walk and a strikeout in the team's 10-1 beatdown of the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night. Since being called up from the minors, Morel has hit six home runs in nine games played and is hitting .359 (14-for-39) with an additional two doubles, 12 RBI, a stolen base and 12 runs scored in his 41 trips to the plate. The 23-year-old outfielder has earned regular playing time in Chicago and should be scooped up off the waiver wire if he remains available in your league.

Chicago Cubs utilityman Christopher Morel continued his impressive stretch in Monday's 6-4 loss to the Astros, going 1-for-5 with a three-run home run and four strikeouts while playing left and center field. The 23-year-old has slashed .346/.346/.846 with four HR, nine RBI, and a stolen base since getting called up just last week. However, he has struck out 38.5% of the time. Morel made an impression when he was called up last season due to his power/speed combo, but strikeouts ultimately derailed his success. He is clearly still a very skilled player who can play multiple positions, making him a potential fantasy asset. It remains to be seen if he can cut down on the strikeouts enough to have his skills shine through.

Chicago Cubs infielder Christopher Morel has been recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Monday. The 23-year-old is set to join the roster ahead of Monday's series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals. Morel has been on fire in the minors, hitting .330/.425/.730 with 11 home runs and four stolen bases. The expectation is that Morel is going to play a versatile utility role on the Cubs roster. Last season, Morel slashed .235/.308/.433 with 16 homers and 10 steals during his rookie season in Chicago. He's worth an add in mixed leagues and NL-only formats.