Get to know Nationals' No. 40 pick Yohandy Morales
Henry Palattella
@hellapalattellaYou can¡¯t talk about baseball in Florida without talking about Yohandy Morales. After putting together a stellar four-year career at G. Holmes Braddock High School, Morales spent the past three seasons at the University of Miami, where he quickly evolved into one of the best overall prospects in this year¡¯s Draft.
Selected by the Nationals with the No. 40 overall pick in the 2023 Draft, here¡¯s everything you need to know about Morales.
FAST FACTS
Position: 3B
Ht/Wt: 6-foot-4, 225 lbs
B/T: Right/right
DOB: Oct. 09, 2001 (Age 22 on Draft Day)
College: University of Miami (FL)
High school: G. Holmes Braddock (FL)
Hometown: Miami, Florida
He¡¯s already a Florida legend
A four-year letter-winner at Florida¡¯s G. Holmes Braddock High School, Morales finished his high school career with 19 doubles, three triples, eight home runs and 50 RBIs.
Morales was the No. 132 ranked high school prospect in 2020, but he went undrafted in the 2020 Draft, which led to him enrolling at the University of Miami for college. He wasted no time bursting onto the scene with the Hurricanes, as he hit .284 to go along with 13 doubles, three triples, 11 home runs and 45 RBIs in his freshman year in 2021.
He¡¯s only gotten better since then, as he hit .329 last season and .408 this season with 70 RBIs and 20 home runs.
Morales¡¯ production on the field has translated to team success, as the Hurricanes have won 40 games in each of the past two seasons, both of which have included berths in the NCAA Regional Tournament.
He has some of the best power in the Draft
It was no accident that Morales tallied 49 collegiate home runs. MLB Pipeline graded Morales with a 60 power tool on the traditional 20-80 scale, which is due in large part to his ability to casually flick any pitch over the fence.
An aggressive hitter, Morales can barrel almost any pitch thanks to his lighting-quick hand speed. While his power numbers have taken a bit of a dip this season after his incredible 2022 season, Morales has the tools and size that should allow for his power to easily translate to the next level.
That raw power hasn¡¯t led to a significant uptick in strikeouts, though he doesn¡¯t draw a ton of walks, and occasionally struggles with pitch recognition.
He's already found his position
After starring as a shortstop in high school, Morales transitioned to third base in college, which is the position he¡¯ll likely stay at once he gets drafted. He has a strong arm and the athleticism, and should easily fit the mold of a power-hitting third baseman.
¡°It was a big adjustment,¡± Morales told Baseball Prospect Journal about third base. ¡°I used to play third before I played shortstop, and my dad was a third baseman. It is different at this level. Moving to third base from shortstop, you have less reaction time, and the ball is hit a lot harder. It¡¯s the hot corner. I¡¯m super comfortable there now.¡±
Baseball¡¯s in his blood
Morales¡¯ family is no stranger to baseball success, as his father Andy starred for the Cuban National Team before defecting and signing with the Yankees in 2001, where he briefly played in their farm system.
Morales says that baseball lineage helped him develop into the player he is today.
¡°He¡¯s been there my whole life and has made a huge impact,¡± Morales told Baseball Prospect Journal about his dad. ¡°One of the biggest things he has given me is just telling me that it is easier to get there but harder to stay there. I have remembered that this entire time. You just have to keep grinding because things aren¡¯t given to you.¡±