Cuban Pitcher Luis Danys Morales received a well-deserved reward for his excellent start to the minor league season and was promoted to Triple-A (Las Vegas) by the Athletics. This move was announced by our colleague Francys Romero on social media. Morales is the organization’s number 4 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
The Sancti Spiritus, Cuba native was outstanding during his time at Double-A (Midland), with a record of three wins and one loss in eight outings, all as a starter. In 42.1 innings, he had allowed 15 runs (14 of them earned) for an excellent 2.98 ERA.
If anything had captured the attention of fans and press, it was his fantastic ratio of strikeouts (53) to walks (15), placing him at the forefront (second) among pitchers with the most batters retired via strikeouts at Double-A. Given this reality, it’s no surprise that his WHIP was an exquisite 1.02.
Morales continues his rapid progression within the Minor League system, moving from the lower level (Rookie Class) to the upper level (Triple-A) in just three seasons. The hurler signed with the then Oakland Athletics on January 15, 2023, for three million dollars. This figure represented a record for a pitcher after restrictions were imposed on international signing periods, surpassing the $2.61 million received by Matanzas native Sandy Gastón in 2018.
The hurler was considered the fifth-ranked international prospect during that international signing period and the first among pitchers. Aware of his value, he wasted no time pursuing his dream and left the roster for the 2021 U-23 World Cup in Mexico, becoming the first in a massive exodus that included 12 players before, during, and after the competition.
In his preparation for signing with the Athletics, he received invaluable advice and training by fellow Sancti Spiritus native and legend Maels Rodríguez. During his professional career, he was selected to participate in the 2024 MLB All-Star Futures Game, where he reached a maximum speed of 99 mph with his fastball.