Yohandy Morales: An underrated, undrafted Cuban prospect

Today, we profile one of the best-undrafted Cuban prospects, Yohandy Morales.

Yohandy Morales, son of an ex-Yankees farmhand and Serie Nacional star Andy Morales was one of the most high profile Cuban prospects in this past draft, but yet for some odd reason, he wasn’t drafted.

The Miami product via Cuba attended G. Holmes Braddock and goes about 6’4 while weighing 195 pounds. For his age, he has an impressive build.

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“My father has counseled me to always give 110% and leave it all on the field,” said the young prospect when I asked him about what he has learned from his father.

Scouts have compared the young shortstop to Houston’s Carlos Correa, ” It prides me to be compared to such a great player. He’s a superstar and a world champion,” said the future University of Miami enrollee.

“I also admire Fernando Tatis Jr. He is my idol and a role model, ” responded Morales when I asked if he admires any other current-day player.

Scouts say that Morales has a plus bat with plenty of power and has plenty of room to grow within his big frame. One deficiency that the infielder has is an inability to hit the breaking with good frequency. But is something that he has worked on in the recent, ” Hitting the breaking pitch is a weakness, but I’ve been working diligently to correct this weakness. My coaches have worked with me on keeping my hands back and using the opposite field.”

This also something the will be refined during his upcoming time in Coral Gables with the Hurricanes.

Another thing that has put the young slugger on the radar with scouts is the competition he faced in the ultracompetitive South Florida high school ranks.

“Playing in South Florida has helped prepare me for the next step in my career. Great competition breeds success.”

On the defensive side of the ball, he has great range and a plus arm. Although he’s a shortstop now scouts figure he will grow into a third baseman.

Yohandy Morales was #77 in Baseball America’s top 100 prospects, a list that was brought out before the last MLB draft and was projected to go in the competitive balance round. Although that didn’t happen he’s still expected to make his mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference with UM.

My last question for the young talent who was also part of a junior USA team was if he would ever represent Cuba internationally to which he responded, ” If the opportunity presented itself in the near future, of course, I would. Why not? My roots are Cuban.