HAVE BAT WILL TRAVEL

It was good to see Kendrys Morales signed by the Minnesota Twins to a 1 year 12.0 million prorated contract ( 8.0 million for June to September).  The last free agent to sign this year, the soon to be 31 year old switch hitter miscalculated the market and lost the first 2 months of the season.  Surprisingly the Twins signed Kendrys.  They are in last place in the AL Central but with the Detroit Tigers not pulling away and all the teams bunched up from top to bottom with 5 games of separation, the Twins might be a surprise and have a good season. Morales is still a good hitter, hitting for average and power and bringing a solid bat to the middle of the Twins' lineup.  With a core of up and coming young Latin players (Danny Santana, Oswaldo Arcia, Josmil Pinto, Eduardo Escobar) Morales can be a mentor and example of professionalism they can follow even if it's only a 4 month rental.

Kendrys Morales in first at bat 2014  (zimbio.com)

At the time of his injury he was 26 years old and just coming into his prime.  Having lost 1.5 years to a horrible ankle injury, his 2009 season was one for the ages for Cuban players residing in  third countries or signed directly off the island (not including players who came over as kids and went into the high school and college system like Rafael Palmeiro and Jose Canseco).  His .306/.355/.569 offensive line
with 34 HR's and 108 RBI's and .924 OPS with the Los Angeles Angels surpassed the magical (.300-30-100) which is a benchmark for excellent average and power hitters.  This lofty mark is a challenge to the current crop of Cuban sluggers like Yasiel Puig, Jose Abreu and Yoenis Cespedes.

Kendrys Morales in 2009 with Angels  (nydailynews.com)

The great Tony Oliva never hit more than 32 HR's nor had more than 107 RBI's in any season.  The left handed hitting Twins outfielder won batting championships in 1964 (.323) and 1965 (.321) his first two years in MLB.

Tony Oliva in 1962  (ootpdevelopment.com)

We have to go to Hall of Famer Tony Perez, of the "Big Red Machine" in Cincinnati who in 1970 hit .317/.401/.589 with 40 HR's and 129 RBI's to find a better year than Morales' and he did it only once in his distinguished 23 year career. 

Tony Perez in 1964   (wordpress.com)

Another great Cuban player, Orestes Minoso, had some fabulous seasons in the 50's with the Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Indians but never produced a Morales year.  He had less power but was an OB% machine with speed and a flashy crowd pleaser.  He had 814 walks and 584 career strikeouts in 7712 plate appearances. From 1951 to 1955 Orestes had the following walks to strikeouts per season:
                     BB        K
1951             72         42
1952             71         46
1953             74         43
1954             77         46
1955             76         43
Talk about fabulous consistency for the "Cuban Comet".
He finished with career numbers of .298/.389/.459.

Orestes Minoso in 1952   (sporting news archives.com)

After taking a walk down memory lane we have to recognize Kendrys Morales 2009 season as a high mark for hitting excellence for Cuban free agents.  He is where he belongs, swinging the bat again.