NEWSLETTER
It’s been a while since we’ve had a game like last night. A game where there were not one but two prospect debuts that went so well and brought so much fun.
I don’t mean to keep yada yada’ing over Brandon Hughes’ record-setting debut, and we will definitely get more into that soon. It’s just that Christopher Morel’s first at bat became one of those moments you know you’re going to remember for a long, long time.
Immediately down 0-2, the 22-year-old utility prospect, who is best known for his extremely loud tools, worked his way back to 3-2 and then got extremely loud:
Christopher Morel introduces himself. pic.twitter.com/oH2VHov6U8
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) May 18, 2022
First major league at bat ➡️ first homer for Christopher Morel 👏
(via @Cubs) pic.twitter.com/pwyk8Iy48a
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 18, 2022
I’m glad nobody told Christopher Morel he wasn’t allowed to swing out of his shoes late in a 6-0 game. Imagine thinking anything other than *exactly* what he did is somehow better or more fun. That was 111.3 mph off the bat, 417 feet out onto Waveland, and one extremely thrilled group of baseball players:
Really. How can you not be romantic about baseball? pic.twitter.com/FpkVUNQGtY
— MLB (@MLB) May 18, 2022
(Romantic about baseball, yes, but also: how can you watch that and not love Willson Contreras?)
How about some reactions from inside the ballpark as the homer happened:
#IWasThere pic.twitter.com/7BoSisbICK
— Joey Smith (@TexanChicagoFan) May 18, 2022
— Max Lapthorne (@mlapthorne) May 18, 2022
My view!!! https://t.co/UhEk8VVCYV pic.twitter.com/3AZwEdpr6r
— Mullet Man (@jdkisntfunny) May 18, 2022
Chris Morel pic.twitter.com/0SpFdv7XFB
— Collin Cassady (@collincassady) May 18, 2022
MOREL pic.twitter.com/RViZsHapgj
— Joey Kagan (@JoeyKagan2) May 18, 2022
The crowd had gotten so loud when the count got to 3-2 that you could barely hear Miguel Esparza’s lead up to the homer – at which point he definitely got louder than the crowd:
Christopher Morel welcome to the show! 417ft. 💣 @Cubs @cachorros #ItsDifferentHere pic.twitter.com/EVNvUycNVD
— Miguel Esparza (@Miguelsvoice) May 18, 2022
I think he can keep up the 100% barrel rate:
Christopher Morel is the best hitter in baseball, confirmed. pic.twitter.com/mpUGOCVfUc
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) May 18, 2022
Just so happy for the young man:
"I'm never going to forget this day."
Christopher Morel was overjoyed after his MLB debut. pic.twitter.com/t3JFm5xIQi
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) May 18, 2022
And scene:
It's magical here.#ItsDifferentHere pic.twitter.com/WVMa0B7Kcc
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 18, 2022
