Adam Morgan continues to draw raves
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Adam Morgan continues to draw raves
David Murphy
A month ago, I didn't know who Adam Morgan was. On Thursday, a scout who watched his Double-A debut labeled him as one of his favorite prospects in the organization. The rough comparison I've heard is Chris Capuano, the veteran lefty who is currently thriving with the Dodgers.
Right now, he projects as a mid-to-back-of-the-rotation guy, but cheap back-of-the-rotation pitching is something that the Phillies are going to need in the coming seasons as Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee play out their deals and Vance Worley's salary stats progressing through the arbitration process. The book on Morgan: not as much of a ceiling as Trevor May or Jesse Biddle, but a higher floor. He's more polished, and could be in a position to contribute as early as later next season. That is a fast timetable for a guy who was drafted in the third round out of Alabama in June of 2011. The 2014 season is a more likely projection. But Morgan has already skipped low-A, and this season posted a 3.29 ERA, 10.2 K/9, 2.0 BB/9 and allowed just seven home runs in 123 innings at Clearwater. Last night, in his Double-A debut, he held the Yankees' Double-A affiliate to two walks and one hit while striking out six in seven scoreless innings.
Morgan, the Phillies' minor league pitcher of the month for July, is 22 years old, which is how old Vance Worley was when he made his major league debut.
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I'm here at Citizens Bank Park awaiting the start of the ceremony honoring Mike Lieberthal, the longtime catcher who will be inducted into (onto?) the Phillies Wall of Fame. I took part in an interview with Lieberthal on Daily News Live in which he said that the club had told him last year that it would likely come down to him or Curt Schilling for induction. Schilling obviously left the organization on less rosier terms than Lieberthal did, so it will be interesting how the Phillies proceed with next year's selection process.
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There has been lots of talk about Tyler Cloyd lately given his sparkling numbers at Double and Triple-A this season. But another pitcher to watch is righty Jonathan Pettibone, who has 11 strikeouts, five walks and five earned runs in 11 innings over two starts since his promotion to Triple-A. Pettibone is only 21 years old, drafted in 2008, when the Phillies went over slot to coax him out of a scholarship to USC.
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Domonic Brown is making is season debut in right field, the position he played all the way up to the point the Phillies acquired Hunter Pence last season. Nate Schierholtz is getting his first major league start in center field. So those are two things to watch in tonight's game against the Cardinals.
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Why haven't they put JRoll on waivers? We have Galvis for next year.— 4thand10- Knock it off?
Okay, Dad.— PhightinPhil - To think that Kyle Kendrick with his salary is blocking some real talent calls to mind a Mini Cooper blocking a convoy of stretch limos in a parking lot. I think Morgan and Pettibone will turn out well and one perhaps as soon as next season. I think Tyler Cloyd will disappoint but he deserves a chance to prove some of us wrong.— Claudio Vernight
- It is an absolute joke that Lieberthal is on the Wall of Fame.— phillyinsd
- For me, Lieberthal on the Wall of fame kind of cheapens the whole thing.
Who's next? Sixto Lezcano?— cupajoe - Pettibone, Cloyd, Morgan it doesnt really matter at this point.
This general manager seems intent on sticking with the Kyle Kendricks and Michael Martinez of the world.
The funny thing is the phillies have had GREAT SUCCESS calling up kids to pitch in the rotation in recent years. Maybe Murphy can touch on this in his next column?
Kendrick: 10-4 3.87 ERA in first year (5th place NL Rookie of the Yr)
Happ: 12-4 2.93 ERA in first full yr (NL Rookie of the Yr)
Worley: 11-3 3.01 ERA in first full yr (3rd NL Rookie of the Yr)
Notice that these guys were not even top prospects and pitched very well. It truly is baffling that a AA or AAA kid has not gotten an opportunity by now ahead of Kendrick or to give Hamels/Lee rest— astroqueen0 - Although I agree with you 100%, I don't believe Happ was ROY in 2009...I think he came in second...either way....would love to see some of this young blood up in September...
- Someone name Chris Coughlin was RoY in 2009. JAHapp was NËš2. Both have followed the same career path since, however. That is to say, it's been downhill for both! — BEMiller
- Look for Morgan to be in Allentown soon after Hyatt was bombed last night there. As a ground ball, strike out lefty who pounds the strike zone, Adam Morgan is perfect for the fourth or fifth starter spot at Citizens Bank Park. ETA, September 2012.— Dull
- Bring em up. Please, no more Kendrick.— Fritz and Alice
- Frankly, I've got to agree with you F&A!
KK just seems unable. At least the kids on the pharm haven't shown they can't do it as yet.— BEMiller - Love the guy as many other minor league "prospects" on the pharm. Why is not Darin Ruf being touted? He is only hitting above .300, banging out 22+ homers and getting some reps in LF. This guy is a huge right handed power bat and NEEDS to be called up to at least AAA. He is not some 19/20 year old. The season has been over, time to see what some of these kids can do, eh?
— drhoffman - Mike Lieberhal does not belong in the Hall. Watched him his entire career average at best— mbutley
