Luis Morales

Note: This page is for 2020s pitcher Luis Morales; for others with that name, click here.

Luis Danys Morales Aguilera

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 186 lb.

• Debut August 1, 2025

• Born September 24, 2002 in Antilla, Holguín Cuba

BR page

Biographical information

Luis Morales first pitched for Sancti Spiritus in the Cuban Serie Nacional in 2020-21. At just 17, he showed some serious potential by going 3-3, 5.95 in 11 games. He was also a standout in youth leagues on the island. He then defected from Cuba in order to begin a professional career. He did so immediately after arriving in Hermosillo, Mexico for a youth tournament at which 12 Cuban players defected.

On January 15, 2023, he was signed as an international amateur free agent by the Oakland Athletics. His signing bonus of $3 million was the highest offered to a Cuban pitcher following changes to the international signing system. This was due in large part to a fastball that has touched 99 mph on the radar gun. He pitched for four different teams that season: the DSL Athletics, the ACL Athletics, the Stockton Ports of the California League, and the Lansing Lugnuts of the Midwest League. The series of promotions was a sign that the A's considered him a top prospect. In 14 games total, 13 of them starts, he went 0-5, 2.86, allowing 33 hits in 44 innings, with a 53/15 K/W ratio. Given he was still very young and had not pitched for a couple of seasons, the A's were careful with his workload.

In 2024, he started the season with Lansing. After 12 starts, he was 1-1, 4.32, having pitched 41 2/3 innings and struck out 42 batters. At the end of June, he was named to play for the American League team at the 2024 Futures Game. He finished the year at 2-24, 4.22 in 22 starts for Lansing, with 84 strikeouts in 81 innings. In 2025, he started the year in AA with the Midland RockHounds of the Texas League, going 3-1, 2.98 in 8 starts. He was promoted to the AAA Las Vegas Aviators at the end of May where he made another six starts before being moved to the bullpen. That was done in anticipation of a soon-to-come call-up to the majors, which happened right after the trading deadline, when The Athletics (as the former Oakland A's]] were now know) traded away two front-line pitchers in Mason Miller and JP Sears. Luis was 4-2, 4.40 in 15 games with Vegas, with 54 strikeouts in 47 innings. In his debut on August 1st, he pitched 2 innings of relief against the Arizona Diamondbacks, giving up 1 run on 3 hits and a walk. He made his first career start on August 10th, giving up no hits or runs in 2 2/3 innings but walking five and striking out four against the Baltimore Orioles as he struggled with his control. He ended up making 9 starts in 10 outings for the A's, and finished at 4-3, 3.14, logging 48 2/3 innings, allowing 38 hits and striking out 43 in what was a very promising rookie season.

He is also known by his full name, Luis Danys Morales.

Related Sites

• Luis Morales on mlb.com
• BR Register page