Former Corvallis Knight Gets Off to Good Start in Bigs.

Brent Morel Shines for Chicago White Sox

Brent Morel (pictured playing third base at Goss Stadium in 2007) says he generally keeps a low profile.

"I've pretty much flown under the radar my whole career," the Chicago White Sox rookie third baseman told MLB.com after driving in two runs in a 15-10 opening-day victory at Cleveland on April 1.

"So it's nothing new for me."

That could change, however, if Morel keeps playing as well as he has. The first former Corvallis Knight to make the major leagues capped an impressive first week of the season by driving in the go-ahead runs in a 10-7, 12-inning win at Kansas City on April 6, and he's played solidly since.

Morel is hitting .263 (10-38), with three doubles and six RBIs, in nine games after Monday's 2-1, 10-inning loss to Oakland at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago on Monday night.

Morel's solid defense impressed the White Sox during a September callup last season and throughout spring training, when he didn't make an error in 19 games. It was a key factor in him winning the starting job over veteran Mark Teahen.

He's made an uncharacteristic three errors so far. His bat, though, is a different story altogether.

Morel has at least one hit in seven of his nine games, and had an 11-game hitting streak over 2010-2011 before going 0-for-3 against Tampa Bay on April 8. He closed 2010 by hitting .292 over the final six games.

"Like I said, I don't expect him to hit. I hope he does," Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen said. "Wow that would be awesome.

"If this kid swings the bat up the middle and does the little things, this kid is going to be good."

Morel starred at Cal Poly and played for the Knights in 2006, their final season in Gresham, and in 2007, their first summer in Corvallis.

He was the team's MVP in 2006, and had his season in Corvallis cut short due to injury.

The other three former Knights in the majors have had mixed success through April 11.

- Toronto reliever Marc Rzepczynski is 0-0, 0.00 in five appearances, with a hold and four strikeouts in 5.2 innings.

- Atlanta starter Tommy Hanson is 0-2, 6.00 in two starts, with three strikeouts in nine innings.

- Houston starter Bud Norris is 0-1, 8.10 in two starts, with 13 strikeouts in 10 innings.