Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

Morlando had a highly decorated amateur career between international tournament success and a star-making performance at the 2023 All-Star Game when he won the High School Home Run Derby and the MVP award at the High School All-American Game. His pro career has failed to launch in two years since the Marlins drafted him 16th overall and signed him for a below-slot $3.4 million, though. Morlando suffered a season-ending back injury in his pro debut and played only 58 games in 2025 (posting a .702 OPS) because of elbow surgery and a hamstring injury. He went to the Arizona Fall League to make up for lost time but was often overmatched.

Although primarily known for his power as a high schooler, that has not yet translated to pro ball. Some scouts had concerns about how often Morlando tapped into his power in games before he was drafted, but his top-line power hasn't even shown up sporadically. His max exit velocity (109 mph) ranked in just the 63rd percentile for the Single-A Florida State League, and he didn't put the ball in the air frequently enough. Perhaps that will return with health and consistent play, and Morlando is also looking for the contact skills that regressed when he tweaked his stance. He's had trouble against secondary pitches of all kinds and sliders in particular (.388 OPS, 61 percent whiff rate).

Although Morlando is largely an average runner, he will flash above-average sprint speeds and has been efficient stealing bases. He's played some center field, but his range and arm make left field his likely home, and he could be a candidate for first base as well. Ultimately, his chances of playing in the big leagues will come down to his bat, and this will be a key season to prove whether he still has that impact power. 

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

Morlando had a long track record of amateur success, including starring with the U.S. 18-and-under team in 2022 and 2023, and winning the High School Home Run Derby and the MVP award at the High School All-American Game at the 2023 All-Star Game. Though he added Gatorade's South Carolina prep player of the year award in 2024, his stock took a hit because of questions about his usable power and athleticism. The Marlins may have liked him more than any club, and when the college bats they wanted came off the board before their pick at No. 16, they pivoted to Morlando and signed him for a below-slot $3.4 million. He suffered a stress reaction his back during his first pro game, ending his season after one at-bat, but fully participated in the club's development camp in the Dominican Republic in November.

There's no question that Morlando was one of the more advanced hitters in the 2024 prep class, showing the ability to work counts, make two-strike adjustments and deliver consistent contact against quality pitching. He has a quick left-handed swing, already has added 20 pounds since turning pro and can put on an absolute show in batting practice, like he did at the MLB Draft Combine, so he has 30-home run upside. But he went deep just twice while he got pitched around and got to spread out as a high school senior, so some evaluators question if he'll get translate his well above-average raw power into more than average game pop.

Morlando also creates mixed opinions with his speed, with grades ranging from fringy to sneaky solid and flashes of plus run times. Miami will try him in center field, though most scouts who saw him as an amateur projected him as a left fielder or first baseman. His arm strength is presently average but could be suitable right field if it ticks up a bit.

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 an 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 occasionally get uphill.

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.

Video scouting report »

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.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/05/2026	RF PJ Morlando assigned to Miami Marlins Prospects.
	03/03/2026	RF PJ Morlando assigned to Miami Marlins.
	09/26/2025	Jupiter Hammerheads activated OF PJ Morlando from the 7-day injured list.
	09/10/2025	OF PJ Morlando assigned to Mesa Solar Sox.
	08/28/2025	Jupiter Hammerheads placed OF PJ Morlando on the 7-day injured list.
	06/19/2025	Jupiter Hammerheads activated OF PJ Morlando from the 7-day injured list.
	06/09/2025	Jupiter Hammerheads sent OF PJ Morlando on a rehab assignment to FCL Marlins.
	05/05/2025	Jupiter Hammerheads placed OF PJ Morlando on the 7-day injured list.
	04/22/2025	Jupiter Hammerheads activated OF PJ Morlando from the 7-day injured list.
	04/03/2025	Jupiter Hammerheads placed OF PJ Morlando on the 7-day injured list.
	03/06/2025	activated OF PJ Morlando.
	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	USA Baseball 18U National Team activated C P.J. Morlando.
	08/24/2022	C P.J. Morlando assigned to USA Baseball 18U National Team.
	09/17/2021	C P.J. Morlando and assigned to Braves (NC/SC '23).