School: University of Miami; Class: Junior
Position: 3B; B/T: R/R
Height: 6-4; Weight: 225
Previously Drafted: N/A
High School: G. Holmes Braddock High School
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 45/50 | 60 | 35 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Background: Andy Morales was a pretty good stick in the Cuban National Series during his heyday, posting a career .322/.390/.473 slash line over parts of nine seasons. Morales, an average-sized third baseman, would make his professional debut with Vaqueros de la Habana as a spry 16-year-old and would establish himself as an offensive force just two years later.
From there, he would play on the Cuban National Team and eventually try to defect to the USA. But after an unsuccessful attempt midsummer of 2000, Morales would successfully establish residency in Peru several months later. The Yankees would sign the sweet-swinging infielder to a rather hefty deal – four years and $4.5 million – but his stay in stateside professional baseball would last just 64 games between New York and Boston.
Months after his stateside debut Morales’ youngest son, Yohandy, was born.
Fast forward more than 20 years and Yohandy has successfully positioned himself as one of the top college bats in the 2023 Draft Class.
A product of G. Holmes Braddock High School, the youngest Morales stepped into the heart of the Hurricanes’ lineup as a true freshman without missing a beat as he slugged .284/.343/.531 with 13 doubles, a trio of triples, and 11 homeruns. After struggling through an extended stint in the Cape Cod League (.182/.308/.236), Morales continued to batter the collegiate opposition during his sophomore campaign: he mashed .329/.411/.650 with 17 doubles, three triples, 18 homeruns, and six stolen bases.
And he continued to impress during his abbreviated stint with the USA National squad as well, slugging .400/.400/.600 in seven games.
This season Morales raised the offensive production bar even further. He bashed .408/.475/.713 with 13 doubles, and career bests in homeruns (20) and stolen bases (seven).
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
- Since 2011, only a pair of ACC hitters have batted at least .400 in a season (min. 250 PA): Kyle Teel and – of course – Yohandy Morales, both of whom are potential first rounders in 2023.
Premium, plus-plus raw power that puts him among the best sluggers in the class in 2023, Morales has been remarkably consistent in terms of swing-and-miss numbers throughout his college career, fanning between 21.4% and 19.8% in each of his three seasons. Morales has been a fair solid offspeed hitter throughout his career. Good athlete, especially considering his large frame. Solid runner. Uses all fields well. Plus power the opposite way. There’s some risk here, mainly centering on the quality of the hit tool. But even at a 45-grade, his power and position give him a shot to develop into a solid league average third baseman.
Ceiling: 2.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
Grade: First Round
