Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

Morlando's track record of performing against top competition includes winning the High School Home Run Derby and the MVP award at the High School All-American Game at the All-Star Game last July. He also starred with the U.S. 18-and-under team in each of the last two years. But his stock has dropped this spring amid questions about his usable power and athleticism, making it unlikely that he'll go in the first round as once projected.

Gatorade's South Carolina prep player of the year, Morlando has advanced feel to hit, showing the willingness to work counts and to make two-strike adjustments. He has bat speed and strength in his 6-foot-3, 198 pound frame, but the pop he displays in batting practice hasn't translated into game power last summer or this spring. He can get pull-happy and his left-handed swing can get uphill on occasion.

While Morlando has caught and played some third base in the past, he's destined for left field or first base, making power imperative. He can post solid 60-yard dash times but plays as more as a fringy to average runner and possesses similar arm strength. He'll be 19 on Draft Day and eligible again in 2026 if he attends college at South Carolina.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

Morlando had a strong track record of performing against top competition as an amateur, including winning the High School Home Run Derby and the MVP Award at the High School All-American Game at the 2023 All-Star Game, and starring with U.S. 18-and-under team in 2022 and '23. Though he won Gatorade South Carolina High School Player of the Year accolades this spring, his stock dropped a bit amid questions about his usable power and athleticism. The Marlins liked him more than most clubs, and when they didn't see a college bat they wanted with the 16th overall pick in July, they pivoted to Morlando and signed him for a below-slot $3.4 million.

Morlando has advanced feel to hit, showing the willingness to work counts and to make two-strike adjustments. He has bat speed and strength in his 6-foot-3, 198-pound frame, but the prodigious pop he can display in batting practice hasn't translated into game power last summer or this spring. He can get pull-happy and his left-handed swing can get uphill on occasion.

While Morlando can post solid 60-yard dash times, he plays as more of a fringy-to-average runner and possesses similar arm strength. Miami plans on trying to make him a center fielder, but most scouts believe he's destined for left field or first base, which would make power imperative. He suffered a stress reaction in his back during his first pro at-bat on Aug. 2, which sidelined him for the rest of the season.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/24/2024	Jupiter Hammerheads activated RF PJ Morlando from the 7-day injured list.
	08/09/2024	Jupiter Hammerheads placed OF PJ Morlando on the 7-day injured list.
	08/02/2024	OF PJ Morlando assigned to Jupiter Hammerheads.
	07/19/2024	Miami Marlins signed OF PJ Morlando.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated OF PJ Morlando.
	05/15/2024	OF PJ Morlando assigned to College Workout.
	08/16/2023	1B P.J. Morlando assigned to High School Workout.
	07/06/2023	American activated 1B P.J. Morlando.
	09/21/2022	1B P.J. Morlando and assigned to High School Workout.
	08/24/2022	C P.J. Morlando assigned to USA Baseball 18U National Team.
	08/24/2022	USA Baseball 18U National Team activated C P.J. Morlando.
	09/17/2021	C P.J. Morlando and assigned to Braves (NC/SC '23).