NEWSLETTER
Christopher Morel was going through his first difficult stretch in the big leagues, which was always expected. For two-and-a-half weeks, he was hitting just .191/.222/.309/44 wRC+ with a whopping 45.2% strikeout rate.
That’s when he got bumped down to the 9-hole by David Ross, who was hoping to take some of the pressure off and let Morel just settle back into a relaxing rhythm.
Morel responded in the following two games by immediately going 7 for 9 with two homers. It was such an explosion that when you include just those two games in his slump period, the numbers come all the way up to .260/.284/.455/101 wRC+, 41.5% K.
Morel’s five-hit night made a little history, as collected by Cubs.com:
• Morel was the first Cubs player to enjoy a five-hit game since Kris Bryant on Aug. 18, 2016.
• Morel became the first Cubs rookie to notch five hits in a game since Micah Hoffpauir on Sept. 25, 2008.
• At 23 years old, Morel became the youngest Cubs player to have a five-hit game since 18-year-old Ken Hubbs on May 20, 1962 (Game 2 of a doubleheader).
If you missed the big night, enjoy the highlights of Christopher Morel’s five hits, including the massive 440-foot homer to cap it off (albeit off a position player … ):
