The Los Angeles Dodgers have a lone prospect consistently in the top five who is not an outfielder: shortstop Emil Morales.
Morales was born in Spain, though he played baseball in the Dominican Republic. He was signed from the 2024 international amateur free agent class for $1,897,500 by the Dodgers.
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At only 19 years old, he is one of the more raw prospects in the Dodgers’ system, but he has a good deal of upside.
He is 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 191 pounds, though scouts believe he should add a good deal of muscle to his frame and potentially lose some speed, potentially leading to a move to third base. He bats and throws right-handed as well.
Where does Emil Morales rank as a prospect?
Morales is the No. 92 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, the fifth overall in the Dodgers’ farm system.
He ranks No. 65 in The Athletic’s rankings, the sixth overall name in the organization. He sits fourth in FanGraph’s ranking of Dodgers prospects.
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ESPN has him at No. 65 overall and the Dodgers’ fifth prospect in the system.
How did Emil Morales play in 2025?
Morales broke into rookie ball in 2025 at the age of 18 years, playing in 59 games and hitting .300/.383/.498 with nine home runs.
He totalled 43 RBIs as well, showing a good feel and earning a promotion to Single-A. With Rancho Cucamonga, he hit five home runs, 27 RBIs, and six stolen bases.
Emil Morales Scouting Report
According to MLB Pipeline, Morales is projected to reach the majors in 2029, while FanGraphs has him breaking in in 2030.
Both prospect scouting resources give him between four and five seasons to break into the major leagues, and considering his age, he could end up being called up sooner due to the high positional value that is put on shortstop.
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His timeline could depend on Mookie Betts, who wants to finish his career as a shortstop. He is still incredibly mobile and athletic in his 30s, but the range needed for shortstop may force the legendary Dodger to move back into the outfield or second base as he eventually ages out.
Morales could be the Dodgers’ answer at the position with a handful of impressive seasons in the minor leagues.
Emil Morales trots across the infield as a member of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes during the 2025 California League season in this undated photo. (Rancho Cucamonga Quakes)
Here are Doug McKain’s thoughts on Morales as a prospect, giving his two cents on the young player’s outlook going forward.
“Big shortstop, standing at 6’3”, 191 lbs. Morales was born in Spain, but trained in the Dominican Republic, where he turned heads due to his unique size and strength for a middle infielder,” Doug said.
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“It was a small sample, but he posted an impressive .960 OPS in 143 plate appearances for low-A as a teenager.
“He’s hit at every stop so far at the lower levels of the Dodgers farm system with tantalizing power that gives visions of Corey Seager-like power from a shortstop with the potential to smash 25-30 homers at the Big-League level one day.”
Emil Morales Grades:
Scouting grades are on a 20-80 scale, with 50 being average. These are what scouts believe his potential is.
MLB Pipeline:
Overall: 55 out of 80
FanGraphs
Overall: 50 out of 80
For the current Dodgers prospect rankings, click here.