Ty Morrison Stats & Scouting Report

AB	1457
AVG	.259
OBP	.326
SLG	.362
HR	10

Full name Christopher Tyler Morrison
Born 07/22/1990 in Norfolk, VA
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 170 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Tigard
Drafted in the 4th round (113th overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008 (signed for $500,000).

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Morrison was in Virginia last spring and played on a Virginia-based travel team last summer, then was in Hawaii in the fall. However, his parents moved to Oregon in the spring, and he surpassed Tigard High teammate Ryan Gorton as the state's top prep prospect. A member of the University of Oregon's first baseball recruiting class for its reborn program, he probably doesn't have enough bat to make a quick impact in pro ball, but a patient team could get one of the draft's better athletes. Long and lean, almost frail, Morrison is a fast-twitch athlete who is a 65 runner on the 20-to-80 scale. Morrison's best present tool is his speed, and he's a raw though potentially above-average defender in center field. He's a long strider who can cover a lot of ground and has enough arm strength for center field. Offensively, Morrison is behind, unable to bring his authoritative batting-practice hacks into games. However, he has raw power, though it might take a couple of thousand minor league at-bats for it to come out.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Morrison has been one of the best all-around athletes in the system since signing as a fourth-round pick in 2008. His overall development has been slow, but Rays officials say he's making steady progress and can develop into a major league regular. He has demonstrated his above-average speed by ranking among the leaders in stolen bases and triples in multiple leagues while doing a good job in center field. Morrison's biggest flaw is his high strikeout totals for a speed-oriented player. He has closed up some of the holes in his swing but still needs to make more consistent contact. He has added strength to his tall, broad-shouldered frame, but power never will be a big part of his game. An above-average defender who takes good routes to the ball, he makes accurate throws but has below-average arm strength. After a solid showing following a promotion to Double-A last season, he should make the jump to Triple-A in 2013.
One of the best athletes in the system, Morrison signed for an above-slot $500,000 as a fourth-round pick in 2008. He used his plus speed to rank fourth in the minors in steals (58 in 68 tries) and eighth in triples (13) in his first taste of full-season ball last year, recovering from a slow start in which he batted .129 in April. Morrison has good bat speed with a solid swing and path through the strike zone. He can pull inside pitches, yet his lack of physical strength limits his ability to drive the ball with consistency. Given his youth and broad shoulders, he has the room to add considerable strength, which would make him a more dynamic offensive presence. He also needs to become more patient and make more consistent contact, which would allow him to get on base and use his speed more often. Morrison gets good jumps in center field but could use some work on his routes. His arm is below-average, though he does make accurate throws to the right bases. After flying under the radar in his first three pro seasons, he could be poised for a breakout 2011 season in high Class A.
As an amateur, Morrison played in Virginia and Hawaii before finishing high school in Oregon. He signed with the Rays for $500,000 at the deadline in 2008 as a fourth-round pick, and has spent his first two pro seasons at Rookie-level Princeton. A fast-twitch athlete with broad shoulders and a frame that should allow him to get bigger and stronger as he matures, Morrison has excellent baseball instincts and aptitude. The Rays envision him developing into a top-of-the-order threat. He impressed with his keen batting eye during extended spring training, though he struck out too much during the season. He has excellent quickness and plus speed, and he is adept at stealing bases and beating out bunts. He also has decent pull power from the left side of the plate, and should have slightly above-average bat speed once he adds strength. Morrison covers a lot of ground in center field, though he still needs work on getting better jumps and taking more direct routes to balls. His arm is his worst tool, grading at slightly below average. Morrison made as much progress as any prospect in the organization last year, and Tampa Bay hopes for more of the same when he plays in low Class A in 2010.
The Rays spent $500,000 to lure Morrison, a fourth-round pick in 2008, from becoming part of Oregon's born-again baseball program as a member of the Ducks' first recruiting class. He began his high school career in Virginia as a teammate of Justin Upton before moving to Oregon, where he ranked as the state's top prospect last spring. He's a greyhound with impressive tools, though the Rays will need to show patience with his offensive development. Morrison shows some pop during batting practice, but his ability to drive the ball rarely was evident during high school or his brief pro debut. Tampa Bay believes his thin frame possesses raw power, but he needs to add weight and strength in order for that to become a reality. A fast-twitch athlete with plus-plus speed, Morrison can steal bases and has the potential to become a standout defender in center field. He needs work on his jumps and routes on flyballs, though his quickness makes up for a lot of his mistakes. His arm is playable in center. The Rays won't rush Morrison, and he'll almost certainly open 2009 in extended spring training.

Minor League Top Prospects

Morrison's amateur career took him from Virginia to Hawaii and finally to Oregon. He added Princeton, W.Va., to his itinerary after signing as the Rays' fourth-round pick in August 2008. He played in 10 games in his pro debut and headed back to Princeton this year after a terrific showing in extended spring training. Morrison's bat slowed as the season progressed into the long summer months, but at his best he flashes pull power from the left side. He profiles as a top-of-the-order hitter, so continued refinement of his already strong batting eye and bunting ability will be a priority. With broad shoulders and a 6-foot-2 frame, he has room to fill out and add strength, which he began to do this spring. He's a fast-twitch athlete and plus runner, which translates into both above-average range in center field and excitement on the basepaths, where he stole 20 bases in 25 attempts. Morrison's arm ranks as a tick below-average.