Pirates Claim Third Baseman Brent Morel Off Waivers From Toronto

The Pittsburgh Pirates today claimed third baseman Brent Morel off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays. The announcement was made by Pirates Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington. The Pirates will announce a corresponding move on the 40-man roster to make room for Morel later today.

Morel spent a majority of the 2013 season with Charlotte (White Sox' AAA), where he hit .266 (105-for-395) with 30 doubles, three triples, six home runs and 54 RBI in 106 games. He also played in 12 games with the White Sox, where he hit .200 (5-for-25) with one RBI and three runs scored. Morel was claimed off waivers by Toronto on December 23.

The 26-year-old Morel was originally selected by Chicago (AL) in the third round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. He made his big league debut with the White Sox in 2010, where he hit .231 with three home runs and seven RBI in 21 games.

In 2011 he established career highs in hits (101), doubles (18), home runs (10) and RBI (41) while
spending the entire season with the White Sox.

The right-handed hitting third baseman has a career average of .229 (141-for-616) with 23 doubles, one triple, 13 home runs and 54 RBI in 194 games in parts of four seasons in the big leagues.