Lefty hurler Adam Morgan progressed more than any other Phillies prospect over the past year. Drafted in the third round in 2011 out of the University of Alabama, Morgan quickly made an impact in the Phils’ system upon debuting as a pro, and only sped up his progress last season when he became a force on the pitching mound.
After posting a 3-3 record with a 2.01 ERA in 11 starts in his debut professional season as a member of the short-season Class A Williamsport Crosscutters, Morgan skipped full season A level Lakewood and began the 2012 season in the Florida State League. With the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, Morgan tallied a 4-10 record with a 3.29 ERA and was named a mid-season All-Star.
His win-loss record certainly doesn’t accurately convey the true effort that Morgan put forth with the Threshers, as he held opponents to a .227 batting average while averaging 10.24 K/9, posting a 1.10 WHIP and sporting a 2.62 SIERA in 21 games (20 starts).
In July, the six-foot-one 195-pounder posted a 1.29 ERA in five July starts and was named as the Phillies’ minor league pitcher of the month. Soon after, the 23-year-old found himself promoted to Double-A Reading, where he helped the club lock down a playoff spot in the Eastern League. In six regular season starts with Reading, Morgan tallied a 4-1 record with a 3.53 ERA.
Morgan’s pitch repertoire includes a fastball that resides in the low 90’s typically, a plus change up that scouts like a lot, a very good slider and a curve ball that could use some refinement. If the curve ball doesn’t come along, it could wind up being dropped from the menu, but with the slider that Morgan considers his out pitch, he’ll still have a strong selection of offerings.
The Georgia native also exhibits good control, as he has tallied a 6.2 walk percentage over the past two seasons, which is remarkably good, for a pitcher in his first year and a half in the minors.
A very goal oriented individual, Morgan views his father, Wiley, as his hero. Dating back to 5th grade, Adam wanted to be just like the elder Morgan and proclaimed at a young age that he would some day pitch for Alabama, just like his father. Displaying with that achievement that he can do virtually anything he sets his mind to, Morgan has barely started accomplishing everything he wishes to do on the baseball field.
The upcoming season should see Morgan pitching with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs at some point sooner than later. The youngster currently projects to be a big league starter that could fill a middle of the rotation spot. Look for a big league arrival in 2014 for Morgan, who certainly has the potential to make that happen sooner, if he progresses at the same rate this year as he did in the previous season.
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