The Pirates are set to sign a former top target of the LA Dodgers to a reported contract over $1.7 million.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have made a splash in the international market.
According to baseball reporter Francys Romero, the Pirates are expected to sign Dominican shortstop Darrell Morel.
Romero reported last week the deal is close to $1.7 million. The Los Angeles Dodgers previously reached a verbal deal with Morel before letting him retest the market. L.A.’s deal was for less than the Pirates paid Morel, reportedly $1.1 million.
Dominican SS Darrell Morel is expected to sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates for around $1.7 M when a new international period opens January 15.
Morell was set to sign with the Dodgers but returned to the market and will now head to the Pirates.@BaseballAmerica on it. pic.twitter.com/ARRIUMJp3G
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) January 11, 2025
The Pirates jumped at the chance to sign Morel as the Dodgers cleared international bonus money in their attempt to sign Japanese star right-handed pitcher Roki Sasaki.
Morel is a 6-foot-5 left-handed hitting shortstop who has a smooth swing. Some fans have compared Morel to Oneil Cruz as a tall shortstop, larger than most shortstops, and hits for power from the left side of the plate.
Darrell Morell, SS, DR flipped by the Pittsburg #Pirates from the #Dodgers for a bonus close to $2M. A player who has shown considerable growth his original bonus with the Dodgers was below $1M. pic.twitter.com/Z5gInhBkW5
— ProspectosMilb (@ProspectosMilb) January 14, 2025
The Pirates have been linked to MLB Pipeline’s No. 21 international prospect SS Johan De Los Santos, a 16-year-old lefty from the Dominican Republic. Johan is the younger brother of Pirates No. 13 prospect Yordany De Los Santos, who signed for $1.2 million during the 2022 signing window.
Pittsburgh fired its director of international scouting Junior Vizcaino in August and lists Ross Kwan as vice president of international scouting.
The international signing period officially begins on Tuesday (Jan. 15). Expect multiple other international deals to be agreed upon and announced by the Pirates and their international scouting team and staff.