Jose Morban

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #26 prospect in 2004
  Morban came up in the Rangers organization but was taken by the Twins in the major league Rule 5 draft in December 2002. Minnesota couldn't keep him on its big league roster and had to place him on waivers, where the Orioles grabbed him. Baltimore kept him in the majors all season while getting him limited work. Morban is an athletic, toolsy middle infielder. He has the defensive skills and arm to play anywhere in the infield. Baltimore has talked about moving him to third base because of Miguel Tejada's presence at shortstop and a glut of talent at second. The problem is that his bat won't play at the hot corner unless Morban makes major strides. He hadn't played above high Class A when he became a Rule 5 pick, and he showed poor pitch recognition and plate discipline in the minors. Morban does have some pop but needs to shorten his swing to make better contact. He also has plus speed. In spite of his flaws, he's the organization's best shortstop prospect, though he might eventually fit best as a utility player. The Orioles will give him a full season in the minors, starting in Double-A, to see exactly what they have.
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  Ranked Minnesota Twins #26 prospect in 2003
  The Twins addressed an organization weakness by plucking Morban from the Rangers in the major league Rule 5 draft. They hope he can provide the same lift as a defensive middle infielder/pinch-runner that 2001 Rule 5 pick Luis Ugueto did for the Mariners last year. Despite Morban's five-tool potential and pure shortstop actions, he didn't fit in with the Rangers' new philosophies on plate discipline. He has struggled to improve his pitch recognition and two-strike approach, and it will be much more difficult to adapt at the big league level. He frustrated Texas with his inconsistency. While he improved his basestealing technique in 2002, he topped 100 strikeouts for the third consecutive season and made 34 errors. Minnesota will try to be more patient.
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  Ranked Texas Rangers #26 prospect in 2002
  All the tools are there. Morban runs well, has a plus arm and range for a shortstop and hits with above-average power for a middle infielder. He's a fluid, gifted athlete and represents one of the few five-tool prospects in the organization. But he frustrates the Rangers by showing flashes of those raw skills, only to suffer through long stretches of inconsistency. Last year was his second consecutive season with more than 100 strikeouts, an indication of his unwillingness to make adjustments at the plate. He also gets caught stealing too much and makes too many errors for someone with his skills. After nearly two years in low Class A, Morban probably will move to high Class A for what could be a make-or-break season.
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  Ranked Texas Rangers #16 prospect in 2001
  One of the biggest disappointments in the system last year was that Morban couldn't handle the level of competition in the South Atlantic League and had to go back to the Appalachian League. Morban is an acrobatic shortstop with good range, arm and hands. He also runs well and has pop in his bat. All of that makes his performance last year--his first full season in the United States--so frustrating to the Rangers. He didn't make contact and was erratic both on the bases and in the field. The lone positive was that he continued to draw walks, not that it helped his batting average. The Rangers will give Morban a mulligan for last season and hope his talent comes forth in 2001, when he'll get another shot at the Sally League.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked American League #19 prospect in 2000
  The No. 3 prospect in the GCL in 1999, Morban began this year in the Sally League, where he struggled. The Rangers finally assigned him to Pulaski in late July and he never really got his bat going. Morban tends to overswing at times, but shows power from both sides of the plate and runs well. Defensively, he stood out, showing good range and a strong arm. "He's got all the tools," Crabbe said. "He just needs more seasoning. He makes young mistakes. He's as close to a five-tool shortstop as you get."
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  Ranked Florida Complex League #3 prospect in 1999
  A pure shortstop with a long, lean body, Morban makes all the plays in the field. He has excellent lateral movement and arm strength. He also switch-hits, has gap power and is an above-average runner. "All his tools are solid," Red Sox manager John Sanders said. "He was the top prospect in our division."

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  The No. 3 prospect in the GCL in 1999, Morban began this year in the Sally League, where he struggled. The Rangers finally assigned him to Pulaski in late July and he never really got his bat going. Morban tends to overswing at times, but shows power from both sides of the plate and runs well. Defensively, he stood out, showing good range and a strong arm. "He's got all the tools," Crabbe said. "He just needs more seasoning. He makes young mistakes. He's as close to a five-tool shortstop as you get."