Adrian Morejon

Morejon returned last June from his 2021 Tommy John surgery. The southpaw made just three appearances as a multi-inning reliever before experiencing shoulder inflammation that held him out for a little less than a month. Morejon went on to complete a career-high 34 innings across 26 appearances with a 4.24 ERA (3.87 FIP), 1.18 WHIP and 28:9 K:BB. He throws mostly fastballs (69% usage) with the occasional slider (13%), curve (13%) and changeup (4%), so it appears the soon-to-be 24-year-old still has some work to do on his secondary offerings. Morejon's role for 2023 has yet to be announced, but he figures to split time between the starting rotation and bullpen in order to manage his workload. He's flashed skills that suggest a breakout could eventually come, but there's still room to grow and health has not yet been on his side.

Morejon has spent just over 27 innings at the big-league level over the past two seasons, with all the lumps one would expect from a 21-year-old pitcher in the big leagues. The 28.1 K% and low 5.8 BB% are fun to project, but eight homers allowed in 27.1 innings speak to the room for growth in the talented young arm. He has had injury issues throughout the minors and has yet to work more than 65 innings in any one season, but he works in the upper 90s with his fastball and has a unique knuckle-changeup to go along with his slider. Morejon's fastball has been quite hittable at the big-league level because he has thrown it quite often, using his other pitches mostly when up in the count. The difference between an average and great pitcher is when they have the command and confidence to throw their non-fastballs when behind in the count. Morejon is far from that point.

Morejon didn't look good in his first eight innings of big-league action, allowing nine runs, but the fact that he was pitching in the majors at all at age 20 is an indication of his talent. That talent saw him strike out 28.6% of opposing batters for Double-A Amarillo prior to his promotion while being over four years younger than the average player at that level. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury cut Morejon's season short in early August, the latest in a long string of injuries for the young lefty, who hasn't thrown more than 65.1 innings in a season as a pro. While he projects to have the control and diverse arsenal required to start, his smaller 5-foot-11 frame and significant durability issues portend a relief role long term. If the Padres opt to send him back out as a starter, he'll get his first taste of Triple-A to open the season, and he should play a role in San Diego at some point if healthy.

If Morejon never got hurt in 2018, he may have entered 2019 as a top-five pitching prospect in baseball. He was cruising at High-A when hip flexor soreness cost him five weeks in the middle of the summer. The 6-foot southpaw returned in late July but was then shut down in early August with triceps discomfort. When healthy, Morejon looked the part of a future No. 2 starter. He was the second-youngest player in the California League (turns 20 in February), and was sitting in the mid-90s with his fastball while sporting secondaries (changeup and curveball) with plus potential. Refinement is needed with his command and offspeed pitches, but those are lesser concerns, given his age. The bigger concern is whether Morejon can handle a full season's workload. He does not have prototypical size and has never logged 70 innings in a season. If he tops 100 innings in his third pro campaign, he would likely spend most of 2020 in the big-league rotation.

While Morejon's pro debut should be seen as a success, he did not display the type of upside or safety that some hoped for. He signed for $11 million in July 2016, which cost the Padres $22 million after the overage tax. They did not get a budding ace. At 92-94 mph, his fastball is plus for a lefty, and he supports it with a quality breaking ball and quality changeup, neither of which is a plus pitch yet. That's the repertoire of a No. 3 starter. However, the young Cuban's command/control lags well behind what is typical of a safe, mid-rotation arm. The good news is he won't turn 19 until late February, so the fact that he was able to hold his own at Low-A should be seen as an accomplishment. Things won't get any easier as he moves to the California League, where throwing more strikes will be his top priority. At 6-foot, 165 pounds, there will always be concerns about his size, and given his debatable ceiling, he is not a must-hold shallower dynasty leagues.

Morejon left Cuba in 2015 and was the top pitching prospect on the international free agent market last year. The Padres ponied up $22 million for the young left-hander, when factoring in the 100 percent tax for going over their bonus pool. At 6-foot, 165 pounds, he lacks prototypical size, but he has a sturdy frame. The pitch mix and command suggest he will be able to make it as a starter. Morejon already works with a mid-90s fastball, and reports suggest he could pair a plus breaking ball and plus changeup with his heater in time. There is a ton of risk, given his age and lack of experience, but at a certain point it is better to invest in unproven arms with No. 2 upside than in pitchers who do not have a realistic shot to make it as a mid-rotation starter. He is a year older than most players in his signing class, and considering his advanced repertoire, he could spend most of 2017 at Low-A Fort Wayne.

Morejon left Cuba at age 16 last fall to try and sign with a MLB team. The young prospect reaches the low 90s already with his fastball and has room to grow with his 5-11, 165-pound frame. Morejon has already made six appearances in Serie Nacional, the Cuban professional league, where he posted a 7:13 K:BB over 24 innings while the 15-year-old was facing much older competition. He'll be a top international signing at some point this summer.