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).  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.

Fastball: Of all of Morgan’s pitches, the fastball made the biggest jump in pro-ball.  Before the injury Morgan was sitting 91-94 and able to locate the pitch in the zone.  After the injury Morgan was more 88-91, without his pinpoint command.  His post-injury return will hinge on the fastball velocity returning to respectability. 45/55

Changeup: During his breakout Morgan showed feel for a changeup.  It had solid movement, and deception.  Not quite a plus pitch yet, it was showing that kind of potential on the major league level. 55/60

Slider: Morgan’s slider is his real weapon, it shows good shape and movement, as well as good velocity and bite.  He can use it to miss bats and for strikes in the zone.  In 2012 it was a major league plus pitch. 60

Curveball: The lesser of his two breaking balls, the curveball has more vertical movement than the slider.  The fourth pitch helped as an extra weapon against both sides batters.  The pitch is more average but some see long term plus potential.  50/55

Summary: When healthy Morgan was looking like a major league #3 starter, with a solid 4 pitch mix.  The stuff is not overpowering, but he was able to locate it and keep hitters off balance.  With the injuries his fastball velocity was way down and hitters were able to hit his secondary stuff at will.  Without the fastball velocity he profiles more as a backend starter or long reliever.

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Profile updated: 3/10/2013