Adam Morgan

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #11 prospect in 2014
  In mid-2012, some evaluators were calling Morgan the best arm in the Phillies system. He finished his first full season at Double-A Reading, and he threw well in big league camp in spring training 2013. It looked like the southpaw would be on the Citizens Bank Park mound at some point in 2013, but instead, Morgan suffered a small tear in his left shoulder that limited him to just 78 innings in the minors. He escaped the scalpel through a rehab program, which provides a silver lining. He went down for two months in May, then returned to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley rotation in late July and threw well down the stretch, posting a 2.73 ERA in his final 30 innings. When at full strength in 2013, Morgan sported a fastball that sat between 88-91 mph and touched 93. He backed it up with a mid-80s slider that is plus now and has a chance to be double-plus in the future, as well as an above-average changeup. He also has a curveball, but it lags well behind his other three offerings. He had a tendency in 2013 to rush himself through his delivery and fall off line, costing him his formerly above-average command. If healthy in 2014, Morgan should return to the Lehigh Valley rotation.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #5 prospect in 2013
  Inconsistent during three years as a weekend starter at Alabama, Morgan signed with the Phillies for $250,000 as a third-round pick in 2011. Following a strong spring training, he skipped a level to high Class A for his first full pro season and led the Florida State League in strikeouts per nine innings (10.2) and WHIP (1.07). He finished the year by winning four of his six Double-A starts. Morgan's stuff took a significant step forward in 2012. He did a better job of establishing his 91-94 mph fastball, especially on the inner half of the plate, making the rest of his arsenal more effective. His 81-84 mph sharp slider flashes plus potential and is more consistent than in the past, while managers rated his 78-80 mph changeup the FSL's best. He also throws a 76-78 mph show-me curveball. Morgan has above-average control. His smooth delivery, high three-quarters arm action, burrowing glove tuck, strike-throwing ability and competitiveness all evoke comparisons to Cliff Lee, though he doesn't quite have Lee's arsenal. With the boost in stuff, Morgan profiles as a mid-rotation starter and possibly more, given the development of his secondary offerings. He could earn an aggressive assignment to Triple-A in 2013, though a brief return to Reading isn't out of the question.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #29 prospect in 2012
  As a freshman at Alabama, Morgan in 2009 pitched alongside fellow Phillies farmhand Austin Hyatt in the Crimson Tide rotation. Morgan spent each of the next two seasons as a weekend starter and struggled with consistency, mixing flashes of brilliance with low points. He quickly signed for $250,000 as a third-round pick last June, then pitched well for Williamsport. When he's on, he reminds some scouts of Cliff Lee with his arm action and delivery, though he doesn't have Lee's stuff or command. Morgan's fastball sits at 88-92 mph and touches 94, but the pitch flattens out occasionally. He throws two breaking balls, an 82-84 mph slider and an upper-70s curveball, though they sometimes blend together. The slider shows flashes of becoming a plus pitch. He also has an average low-80s changeup. Morgan lands on a stiff front leg in his delivery that prevents him from working downhill at times. The development of his secondary stuff and his ability to command it will determine his future role. He's a durable starter with back-end rotation potential, and he has a chance to move quickly. He'll likely open 2012 in high Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Florida State League #12 prospect in 2012
  The worst trip in the FSL for a lefthanded hitter was Clearwater. Between Biddle, Morgan and Austin Wright, the Threshers had three tough southpaws in their rotation. Morgan led the league in strikeouts per nine innings (10.2) and WHIP (1.07). He actually throws a little harder than Biddle, sitting at 91-93 mph, and 94, though Biddle's fastball seems quicker to hitters. What Morgan doesn't have is the second plus pitch that Biddle has with his breaking ball. Morgan throws a slider and a changeup, both of which could end up being average pitches. His slider shows flashes of being better than that with occasional bite. For now, he succeeds largely because he can locate his fastball to both sides of the plate and because it has excellent late movement.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Inconsistent during three years as a weekend starter at Alabama, Morgan signed with the Phillies for $250,000 as a third-round pick in 2011. Following a strong spring training, he skipped a level to high Class A for his first full pro season and led the Florida State League in strikeouts per nine innings (10.2) and WHIP (1.07). He finished the year by winning four of his six Double-A starts. Scouting Report: Morgan's stuff took a significant step forward in 2012. He did a better job of establishing his 91-94 mph fastball, especially on the inner half of the plate, making the rest of his arsenal more effective. His 81-84 mph sharp slider flashes plus potential and is more consistent than in the past, while managers rated his 78-80 mph changeup the FSL's best. He also throws a 76-78 mph show-me curveball. Morgan has above-average control. His smooth delivery, high three-quarters arm action, burrowing glove tuck, strike-throwing ability and competitiveness all evoke comparisons to Cliff Lee, though he doesn't quite have Lee's arsenal. The Future: With the boost in stuff, Morgan profiles as a mid-rotation starter and possibly more, given the development of his secondary offerings. He could earn an aggressive assignment to Triple-A in 2013, though a brief return to Reading isn't out of the question.