JUPITER, Fla. -- When veteran Christopher Morel isn’t comparing learning first base to dancing bachata, he’s going around the Marlins’ Jupiter Academy with a big smile on his face. With the return of Spring Training, what better way for fans to get to know the newcomers both on and off the field than through a fun Q&A? In this installment, we catch up with Morel. MLB.com: Let’s start with a difficult one. Are you a good dancer, and what’s your go-to move?
Morel: I’m a dancer, and I would dance to the Jerry Rivera song “Amores Como el Nuestro.” MLB.com: Why emojis on the glove?
Morel: It's just a reminder about enjoying life. So every time I look at it, it just reminds me to do that, because we're here now. You don't know if you're here tomorrow. MLB.com: Even the necklace says “Amor y paz” (“Love and peace” in Spanish). Is that your motto?
Morel: It's actually the logo of the foundation that I started [called the Cruz Morel Foundation]. It's a foundation I used to help the kids of the area that I grew up [in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic]. |
MLB.com: What’s your most-used emoji?
Morel: The heart [hands] and the peace sign. The heart is amor, and paz [for peace]. MLB.com: Do you have a secret talent? Eury [Pérez] can do magic.
Morel: I haven’t found that ability. MLB.com: Do you have any hobbies? What would you do on a day off?
Morel: I’m a simple guy: just trying to rest and see Netflix, [drink] hot chocolate. MLB.com: What’re you watching on Netflix?
Morel: Comedy. I don't like anything about scary movies. MLB.com: In English? Spanish?
Morel: Both, if I’ve seen [them] before. I like to watch “Shrek.” If I see that movie too much, I can put it in English. I know what they’re going to say. MLB.com: Who's your favorite character in Shrek?
Morel: Burro [donkey in Spanish]. For everybody. |
MLB.com: What’s your favorite thing about the D.R., or what do you miss the most?
Morel: I miss my family. I just think about my grandma [María]. She's older, so I just think much about her. MLB.com: What does baseball mean to you?
Morel: Everything. MLB.com: What would you be doing if you weren’t a baseball player?
Morel: Architect. I grew up seeing my mom. She was more of a supervisor of the actual construction of houses. She’s still doing that. Of note: Luis Dorante Jr. helped interpret Morel’s answers. |
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The Marlins hosted five of their Youth Academy coaches last Sunday at the Jupiter Academy. The quintet of Gerardo Pichardo, Priscilla Roche, Pat Carrasco as well as volunteer coaches Carlos Perez and Lane Buchanan received a tour of the facilities and shadowed director of Minor League operations Hector Crespo. Crespo walked them through the day in the life of infield training as the Major Leaguers fielded grounders on the back fields. He answered questions ranging from technique to process-oriented ways to keep players engaged between pitches. “I told them how impactful my high school coaches were for me and my wife, being in that realm with youth kids, and knowing the importance of that,” Crespo said. “It means so much to myself, my family. I told them, ‘I hope it doesn't end here.’ They said the word ‘consultant,’ but any wisdom or anything they need for me moving forward, would love to just kind of share knowledge, because they're the ones impacting the next generation of players that hopefully we'll get. As much foundation as we can give them, I’m always happy to help.” |
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