Pitching prospect Morgan makes an impression

Adam Morgan has earned much less fanfare than many of the Phillies' pitching prospects, but he has made a strong impression in his brief time with the organization.

The 22-year-old Morgan, who was a third-round draft choice in 2011 from the University of Alabama, is coming off an impressive performance in single-A Clearwater's 2-1 loss to the Tampa Yankees Wednesday. Morgan, who didn't get the decision, pitched six innings, struck out nine, and walked none while yielding four hits and one run.

Last year at short-season Williamsport he went 3-3 with a 2.01 ERA.

"I am really excited about Adam," said Joe Jordan, the Phillies' director of player development. "He was a guy who last year when I was with Baltimore we liked him, and from what I've seen since I've been here his stuff is pretty darn good for anyone, especially a lefthander who can pitch."

In two games, Morgan is 0-0 with a 3.38 ERA, with 15 strikeouts and three walks.

"This guy has a chance to move [up in the system] and knows what he's doing and has a good mix of pitches," Jordan said. "The fact that he is doing well is no surprise."

Even though righthander Dave Bush took the loss in Lehigh Valley's 8-0 defeat at Pawtucket on Tuesday, he pitched much better than the score indicated. Bush, the former Milwaukee Brewer and graduate of Conestoga High School, allowed just one unearned run and two hits in five innings. He struck out two and walked two.

Still, the 32-year-old Bush had to scuffle in his first outing.

"He pitched behind in the count pretty much the whole game," IronPigs manager Ryne Sandberg said. "Of 19 first pitches, he threw six for strikes but was able to bounce back and get double plays and minimize damage. . . . He mixed his pitches real well, threw good for five innings, and it was a quality start for him."

Larry Greene Jr., the 19-year-old corner outfielder who was the Phillies' top draft pick last season, is in extended spring training with many of the other young prospects. A supplemental first-round pick and the 39th overall selection in 2011, Greene signed for a $1 million bonus on Aug. 15.

"He had some hamstring stuff that wasn't major, but it set him back in camp," Jordan said. "Really for us he didn't play last summer and had limited time in the Instructional League, and we wanted to make sure his body is in shape and he has good at-bats."

Jordan said patience is important with young players.

"The situation he is in is about teaching and is the groundwork for future development," Jordan said. "He is where he needs to be with Roman Quinn and other guys we really like, and we have a good staff down there and we're trying to ready them for the summer, Williamsport more than likely."

Quinn, a shortstop who turns 19 in May, was the Phillies' second-round draft choice last season.

Greene is ranked 11th and Quinn 12th among Phillies prospects by The Inquirer/Daily News.

Reading righthander Tyler Cloyd pitched two gems for two teams in two leagues. He was an emergency starter for Lehigh Valley after Bush received a suspension for his role in a spring-training brawl. In that game, Cloyd pitched six perfect innings.

With Bush returned, Cloyd went to Reading and earned the victory in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Cloyd, who turns 25 next month, pitched six innings and allowed two earned runs on six hits. He struck out six and didn't walk a batter.

"He filled in for Bush opening night with six perfect innings and we demoted him, and it shows we are running a tough ship," Jordan quipped.

Then Jordan turned serious.

"I saw him for the first time in the Arizona Fall League and he can really pitch and moves the ball around and has secondary pitches," Jordan said. "He's capable of showing he can pitch at triple A."

Brian Pointer, a 20-year-old outfielder at Lakewood, is off to a fast start. Pointer entered the weekend batting .360 with three home runs and eight RBIs.

Lefthander Lino Martinez, who turns 20 in September, is 1-0 with 3.38 ERA. In 102/3 innings he has allowed nine hits, but has walked six in addition to striking out six.