The Padres gave Adrián Morejón an $11 million g bonus as the top pick of their 2016 international amateur spending spree. Morejón quickly rose through the minor league system and was part of the 2019 All-Star Futures Game before making his major league debut that year at just 20 years old. Once a top prospect projected for a spot in the starting rotation, his career was derailed by injuries and setbacks, including Tommy John surgery in 2021. In 2024, the Padres and Morejón agreed on a full-time move to the bullpen, where the Cuban lefty posted career highs as a reliever and finished the season healthy, missing no time due to injury. This year, he has continued to be a dominant presence out of the bullpen, pitching to a 2.93 ERA in 27 2/3 innings.
Morejón talked to the Union-Tribune this week about his defection from Cuba, relationship with his family, injuries and adjustments. This interview was translated through Padres interpreter Jorge Merlos. It has been edited for length and clarity.
You grew up in Cuba. How did you get your start in baseball?
A: It all started when I was 5 years old. That’s when I got into baseball. Really, it was just my dad, my uncle and my deceased grandfather who came up with it. They were like, ‘Well, you know, you’re watching baseball.’ I liked to watch baseball with them. And then when I was in school at 5 years old, someone asked, ‘Hey, is anyone interested in playing baseball?’ And sure enough, I raised my hand and decided to play.
When did you know you could have a future in it?
A: It was really at the age of 14, when I was in a championship out of Mexico and a lot of the scouts were starting to see me at that time. But even up to that point, it was just kind of like, ‘I’m having fun out here. This is what I love to do.’ It came to where, like, ‘Oh man, maybe I have a chance to make it as a professional.’
You defected from Cuba when you were 15 years old. Can you tell me your story?
A: It was a little bit easier to get out of Cuba at the time (than for some other players). So what I did was I flew with my dad to Ecuador, and we came back to Haiti, and then we crossed the border into the Dominican (Republic) to be able to get out.
So your parents were with you?
A: Yes, my dad and my mom. And my brother. … It was my parents’ decision to get me out. They knew that I was going to have a better future if I got out of the country. So they really convinced me over time, and I went with them.
And they stayed with you?
A: No. … When I signed (with the Padres in 2016), they weren’t able to come with me, so they had to go back to Cuba.
Have you returned to Cuba since?
A: I left in 2015. I decided to go back in 2019 (to see my parents) and that was kind of an issue because, you know, the immigration laws out there. They held me back from coming back (to the United States) until a week after I wanted to come back. But I really don’t have any intentions of going back now, just with the situation that it is in Cuba. And especially (because) I have my parents here, I have my brother here, so I have everyone here that needs to be.
You seem very close with your parents. What kind of sacrifices did they make to your journey?
A: Of course, I love them so much. They’re really the essential reason why I’m here and why I’ve made it to the big leagues. It was a very difficult time from 2016 to 2023 when I wasn’t able to see them. Luckily, I met my wife and I’ve been able to have a great relationship with my father-in-law, and from there on we were able to get (my parents) back here. So having that relationship with my wife and her parents, and having my parents come here as well has been essential for me to establish myself here.
Wait, so you didn’t see your parents for eight years except for that visit?
A: Yeah, that whole time from 2016 to 2023, they were back in Cuba and (unable to leave). And that’s why I went to see them in 2019. I obviously couldn’t have them come back here, but in 2023 I was fortunate enough to go get them and bring them here.
When did they first see you pitch as a major leaguer?
A: A month after they got here in 2023, they were able to come here and see me pitch. It was their first time since 2015 that they were able to see me pitch. … I it was a game against the Mets. I pitched an inning, and I know that my parents cried up there (in the stands). But you know, that’s just how they are (laughs).
You made your debut at 20 years old. What do you about that moment?
A: It was fun. I was so happy at the time, but I was also sad because I wasn’t able to have my parents here. The only person that could be here for me was my wife (Melany), (who) at the time was my girlfriend. So having her here was great, but I just felt conflicted. It was great to (make my debut), but it was just tough not to happen with my parents.
You’re only 26 — still so young! — but this is already your seventh season in the big leagues. Do you ever think about that? Does it feel like it’s been seven years?
A: Yeah, everyone keeps reminding me of that actually (laughs). But yeah, I mean, it feels like I’m still young, but I’m like one of the veteran guys that have been here for a long time. Even though I feel so much younger than what it seems like, right?
Injuries have played a significant role in your career. Knowing now that your parents weren’t with you during those times, that had to make it even harder. How did you handle that?
A: With saying all of this for the first time, you know, it was complicated. It was complicated for me. Luckily, I had my girlfriend (now wife) and her parents as well, who kind of took charge of taking care of me. Because, I mean, it was tough. My parents weren’t here at all, and I can’t thank (my in-laws) enough for everything that they’ve done. Because for me, it was just so difficult to handle all these things. When I got Tommy John (surgery), they were able to take charge of everything. I just can’t thank them enough for everything that they did.
How did all the injuries affect you mentally?
A: It was tough. It was so bad. I mean, to think of all the expectations that everyone had, whether it’s the organization or the fans themselves, saying they had so many high expectations for me because of how high I was on the (prospect) list, right? So for me, it was just tough to try to (navigate) all that and have that emotionally affect me. It was bad, emotionally and mentally. I just felt bad about everything that happened. It was tough. But luckily last year I was able to have a good season, and this year I still feel healthy.
You’ve grown so much as a pitcher and person. Did you change anything over the years?
A: Yeah. I think 2023 was my worst year. Hands down, ‘23 was my worst year. So during that offseason, I decided to make a change. I decided to make a change to all of my routines, all of my plans. Everything that I had and that I did to prepare myself, I changed all of it. And even my wife, who’s really big into (nutrition), she changed my complete diet. So from there on, you know, working with (Ruben) Niebla and figuring out what I can do with my past injuries, and figuring out a way to get that process working. And even working with a mental coach, but behind the scenes, away from the team as well. Just to prepare me the right way, in every single way possible that I can get myself better for the next year.
You’ve been excellent out of the bullpen. You worked on your biomechanics and adjusted your arm slot, but was there something else that clicked for you once you got out there?
A: I just have the confidence in myself to go out there. Like you said, with the biomechanics, the physical work that I’ve been able to take care of in the offseason and prepare myself for this year, I feel like I have all the confidence in the world and I know that I go out there knowing that I have a chance to win. Sure, sometimes it might not go my way, but I know going into every single one of my outings that I have a chance to win.
Some players resist a move from the rotation to the bullpen. Was it a difficult decision? Do you ever think about starting again?
A: I think the best decision has been to go to the bullpen. I just know the limitations that I have on my arm. And even going into this year, there were talks about me going back to the starter position and stuff like that. But talking with the team, it’s just like, ‘No, I feel much better staying in the bullpen’ because I know my limitations. I know what my arm can do and I want to be out there as much as possible. So knowing that, I haven’t had the thought of, ‘Yeah, I’m going to go back to being a starter.’ And I swear to you, I feel much better back in the bullpen.
You and Ruben Niebla are close. What is your relationship like with him?
A: He probably doesn’t want me to say this, but I mean, he’s really the essential person of this team. He’s the one that’s been giving me the opportunity to go out there each and every day to do what I do. And not many people know it, but I’ve known Niebla since 2019. He was a pitching coach in the Futures game back in 2019. And 2022 is when we actually got to know each other really well. But he’s been the essential person that has helped me. I’ve never had that relationship with a pitching coach, and that’s what I needed to get myself into the position that I’m at.
You’re close with Robert Suarez too, right?
A: Yeah, And not to forget about (bullpen coach) Ben Fritz, who I’ve known since 2016 as well. He was my first manager in this organization. He’s really helped me out. But with Robert, I’ve known him since ’22 but it seems like I’ve known him for 10 years plus. I have the most confidence with him. We sit on the plane with each other. He tells me how he’s feeling. I tell him how I’m feeling as well. I just have the most confidence to tell him anything.
Do you have a tattoo of your husky on your leg?
A: Two tattoos. I have two huskies. The girl is 9 years old and the boy is 4 years old. Their names are Jade and Tiger.
All your tattoos are significant, but can you share a few other important ones?
A: I have one for my deceased grandfather on my dad’s side. He ed away in 2020. The one on my left wrist is the name of my dad. And then I have the date of when I officially got engaged with my girlfriend. Some people say that, you know, it shouldn’t be something that you do, but I did it anyway (laughs). And then the one on my left shoulder is the date of when I made my debut.
What’s your favorite food?
A: Anything that my parents or my in-laws cook for me. Any Cuban food, really.
Who’s the funniest guy in the bullpen?
A: Wandy (Peralta). Wandy is the funniest guy. One hundred percent.
