The Philadelphia Phillies will need major improvement in play during the second half of the season to avoid a 100-loss season. Likely to remain in last place, the most important storylines revolve around seeing which players can be part of the rebuilding process moving forward. One player with a huge question mark over his head is pitcher Adam Morgan, who at one time was a promising prospect. Unfortunately, things have not panned out thus far for Morgan.
Morgan was drafted by the Phillies in the third round of the June 2011 Amateur Draft from the University of Alabama and posted an impressive 2.01 ERA for Short-Season Williamsport in 2011. The following season, Morgan displayed the ability to be a strikeout pitcher, racking up 169 in 158 2/3 combined at Clearwater and Double-A Reading.
Morgan pitched most of 2013 at Triple-A Lehigh Valley but struggled en route to a 2-7 record. After missing all of 2014 with a shoulder injury, the Phillies gave him a shot in 2015. Showing some promise, Morgan posted a 5-7 record with an ERA of 4.48. His numbers across the board were solid with the exception of 17 home runs allowed in 84 1/3 innings. Unfortunately, this is a trend that continued leading to much of Morgan’s regression.
Philadelphia Phillies
Last season, Adam Morgan made 23 appearances, 21 as a starter. Sadly, his numbers were far from pretty. In 113 1/3 innings, he allowed 141 hits and a staggering 23 home runs, leading to a 2-11 record and a 6.04 ERA, and the home runs per nine inning ratio increased from 1.81 to 1.83.
Starting this season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Morgan was used out of the bullpen, perhaps more his niche than as a starter. After allowing only a single home run in 17 1/3 innings at Lehigh Valley, the Phillies gave Morgan yet another shot.
Unfortunately for the Phillies and Morgan, this too hasn’t panned out. In fact, his overall numbers are even worse. In 21 1/3 innings, he has 24 strikeouts, which is excellent, but the curse of the long ball continues to haunt Morgan.
One must wonder how long the Phillies will stick with Morgan, who at age 27, should be in his prime. Perhaps he is a late bloomer, but one would expect progress with increased experience. Hitters are on to his pitches, and Morgan hasn’t made the adjustments or maybe isn’t capable of making the adjustments to Major League hitters.
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The only thing Adam Morgan has going for him is that the Phils aren’t going anywhere in the standings, which could give him more time with the organization to improve. On the other hand, don’t be surprised to see the Phillies move in another direction and cut ties with a once promising early round draft pick.