Name: Adam Morgan
Position: LHP
Bats: LH
Throws: LH
DOB: 2/27/1990
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 195
Acquired: 3rd round (120 overall), $250,000
Pre Draft Report: Coming out of college (Alabama) Morgan’s delivery and arm action were reminiscent of Cliff Lee. His fastball sat 90-92 with a slider and change up that both flashed average. He threw a ton of strikes and had good control of the zone. However, the numbers he put were not as good as was expected for a pitcher of his caliber. The Phillies ended up taking him in the third round. He projected as a back of the rotation starter going forward.
Career Synopsis: Morgan signed early and went directly to Williamsport. He put up good numbers in his 53.2 IP with a line of 2.01 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 43 K (K/9 7.21). He did not move up to Lakewood when fellow southpaw Austin Wright did.
Going into the 2012 season Baseball America rated him the #29 prospect in the system noting that he could move very quickly through the system. The Phillies double jumped him to Clearwater to join fellow lefties Jesse Biddle and Austin Wright. Morgan proceed to put up some of the best numbers in the FSL, leading the league in strikeouts (he ultimately would lead the league in strikeout rate at 10.17 K/9) before earning a promotion to Reading. At Reading his BB/9 increased and his K/9 returned to his 2011 level but he still continued to put up good numbers. His numbers at Clearwater over 117.2 IP were 3.29 ERA, 1.08 WHIP (league leading), 133 K which earned him the #12 ranking in the FSL from Baseball America. At Reading his numbers over 35.2 IP were 3.53 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 29 K. After the season Baseball America rated him the #5 prospect in the system, Baseball Prospectus rated him #3, and Keith Law rated him #1.
Scouting Report: Below is an assessment of Morgan’s raw tools, rated on the traditional 20-80 scouting scale. The grades are my estimation based on what I’ve read and those I’ve talked to. The second number is a future projection, the first number is the current assessment
Arm Strength: 60
Fastball: 55/60
Control: 55/65
Command: 50/60
Secondary Pitches: Changeup 55/60, Slider 60, Curveball 45/55
Summary: Morgan does not have overpowering stuff, his fastball sits 91-94 and can touch higher, it also has good late movement and he is above average command and can locate it around the zone. His slider is a plus pitch and the changeup is above average with plus potential. He has proven to be very durable and could be a good #3 starter at the major league level.
Upside: Morgan profiles as a #3 starter though there is a small chance that his secondary pitches improve enough to make him a #2. His mechanics are solid and there is no reason to project any sort of injuries going forward but all usual caveats about pitcher health apply. Morgan’s floor is relatively high as he already has three pitches that are at least above average and the ability to throw them for strikes putting his floor as at least a #4 starter. Morgan will likely return to AA with an ETA in Philly of 2014 if all goes well.
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Profile updated: 3/10/2013
