3 struggling Chicago Cubs prospects who have started the year ice cold

Chicago Cubs: Christopher Morel, 3B/OF – .204/.257/.357

Climbing the ladder would never be a problem for Christopher Morel. Once a highly touted prospect, Morel faced setbacks following a knee injury in 2019 which effectively ended his season that year. Following a strong recovery, and impressive year at the alternate training site last year, something destined it for Morel to take his talents to the ‘Volunteer State’.

Things have seemed to go downhill as Morel is batting.204, and is carrying an on-base percentage far-south of the.300 mark. On a positive note, Morel has found his untapped power and already has three home runs in 25 games. The 21-year-old had six in all of 2019.

Morel is, of course, still very young and has time to continue to grow. He has ridden the struggle bus this year, however, as his 70 wRC+ is a career-low since returning from his injury. Like many, no official the lack of a formal season last year made things a challenge, but we have regarded Morel as a possibility to replace Kris Bryant down the road.

The kid who signed for $800,000 in 2015 has shown he can play. His 124 wRC+ in ’19 remains a career high, but he will have to play catchup to break those numbers. Right now he is striking out at a higher rate but with louder contact comes the reality of strikeouts. Morel still has time to turn it around.