Call to the pen
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NL fantasy baseball plays for All-Star Break push on Braves, Cubs and Phillies

By Chris Timoney

Jun 18, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs designated hitter Christopher Morel (5) hits a two-run homer against the Baltimore Orioles during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs designated hitter Christopher Morel (5) hits a two-run homer against the Baltimore Orioles during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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MLB, Chicago Cubs, Christopher Morel
May 19, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Christopher Morel (5) reacts after reaching second base on a fielding error during the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Christopher Morel, Chicago Cubs

As June begins its wind down, the Chicago Cubs are fighting hard to turn their season back to how it began before the upcoming All-Star break. What started out as a fun time in Wrigleyville quickly soured at the end of April and found the Cubs stumbling down the NL Central standings. Injuries and slumps contributed to the Cubs losing a lot from late April through early June. Over that time, Chicago had three three-game losing streaks, two four-game losing streaks and topped it off with a five-game losing streak on a road trip about a month ago. However, since experiencing an early June swoon, the Cubs are now winners of eight of their last 10, including a five-game winning streak against playoff contenders in Baltimore and Pittsburgh.

One of the players helping to right the Cubs ship is second-year outfielder Christopher Morel. Morel started the season in Triple-A Iowa where he thrived with a .330 average and 11 homers. Morel was called up May 8 and hasn’t looked back since. With 13 home runs and a .281 average, the young Cub is well on his way to shattering his rookie season numbers all while matching a Sammy Sosa mark. Last Friday’s homer against the Orioles was Morel’s 12th in his first 30 games of the season, a feat not accomplished by a Cub since Sosa’s 2002 season.

Over the past week Morel is hitting .360 with three homers and 10 RBI while slugging it at an .840 clip. Like his team, Morel has put up these numbers against quality competition in the Orioles and Pirates. Morel has also been more disciplined at the plate this month. After striking out 29 times in May, Morel only has seven strikeouts so far this month.

The young Cub is a hot grab … but be careful of some of his splits when setting your daily lineups. Morel is a versatile outfielder who can also play second base but is frequently used as the DH in Chicago’s lineup. When playing in the field, Morel is a .322 hitter but hits just .214 as the DH where a majority of his at-bats have come from. Morel is listed in most fantasy leagues as both an OF and 2B, adding to his value on your roster.

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