Drafted in the 1st round (5th overall) by the Seattle Mariners in 2006 (signed for $2,450,000).
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Morrow seems like a scout's dream. Owner of perhaps the best pure arm in the draft, he throws as hard as any pitcher in baseball, sitting at 96-98 mph with his fastball and occasionally reaching 99. He's a fast-twitch athlete with a quick arm and near-perfect pitcher's frame at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds. His delivery is clean and he repeats his mechanics well. Morrow's secondary pitches-a mid-80s slider and improving changeup-have flashed average to above-average potential as well. He's clearly improved over the pitcher whose ERA was 7.57 in his first two seasons, and he led the Pacific-10 Conference in ERA with two weekends to play. However, scouts still have their doubts about Morrow. His control has improved, but several scouts still question his feel for the strike zone and for pitching in general. He lacks deception in his delivery, and his secondary stuff comes and goes. Morrow was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes as a high school senior and wears an insulin pump when not on the mound. During games, he monitors his blood sugar, checking between innings to see if he needs a burst of sugar or shot of insulin. Most scouts don't consider it a major problem.
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Morrow posted a 7.57 ERA over his first two seasons at California before emerging as a prime prospect in the Cape Cod League in 2005. He became the highest draft pick in school history, going fifth overall last June and signing for $2.45 million. A diabetic, he wears an insulin pump when not on the mound and monitors his blood sugar during games. His condition shouldn't limit him in baseball. Morrow is a true power pitcher. He has a mid-90s fastball that has reached 99 mph, and he maintains his velocity into the late innings. He backs up his heat with a mid-80s slider and a hard splitter. While some teams projected Morrow as a closer, the Mariners will try to make him a starter. To stay in the rotation, Morrow will need to improve his command and feel for pitching. He'll also have to refine his barely-used changeup, and while he works on that pitch Seattle will limit how many splitters he throws. Soreness in his forearm limited him to 16 innings in his pro debut. Morrow returned to the mound in September and was lights out in a three-inning stint in high Class A. He may return to that level with the M's new High Desert affiliate or open 2007 in Double-A West Tenn. If his command and changeup improve quickly, he could reach the majors in 2008.
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Rated Best Fastball in the Seattle Mariners in 2007
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