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Down on the Farm – Elliot Morris

By Jeremy Loeks

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In a season where everything is going right at the Major League level it can be hard to keep track of the players at the Minor League level. However, players in the minor leagues like Jose Rondon, Austin Hedges and Hunter Renfroe have been off to fast starts for their respective Minor League teams. Even with the aforementioned prospects fast start, there may be another prospect who unexpectedly is off to a better start than any of them. That prospect is Elliot Morris and as Josh Jackson of MiLB.com writes he is pitching better than anyone expected.

As Jackson points out Elliot wasn’t even a lock to make the Texas League (Double-A ball) at the beginning of the year and he is pitching better than anyone in the league.  The prospect who was acquired in the Huston Street trade last year has amassed 12 strikeouts (9.5 K/9), 0.00 ERA and a 0.971 WHIP in his two starts this year. These stats are way ahead of his career line of 8.1 K/9, 3.24 ERA and 1.215 WHIP.

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These numbers are causing Morris’ stock to rise and you can expect the Padres’ No 23 overall prospect to rise a few spots when the next top prospects predictions become available. As for the young prospect he is just trying to enjoy himself. In Jackson’s article Morris is quoted as saying:

"“It’s been really fun, I was excited to make the team out of camp and I couldn’t be any happier with the results so far.”"

The most exciting thing to this writer so far has been the level of prospects he has been facing thus far. For example on his most recent start he faced the Dodgers minor league affiliate and went toe to toe with one of Major League Baseball’s top prospects Corey Seager. With a man on third and one out he was able to strike out the top prospect who is currently hitting .514 on the year (nine games).

However, it isn’t all good news for the young prospect. This season has been a struggle for Morris in terms of control. He has walked a horrible seven batters in 11.1 innings pitched. This equates to a 5.6 BB/9 which is awful. He will have to improve on his control if he wants to make the Show.

What do you guys think? Are you excited that Morris is pitching better than expected? Is his lack of control concerning? Do you expect to see Morris in the Majors anytime soon? Let me know what you think in the comments.

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