Mariners’ Michael Morales Breaks Through With Improved Stuff
Righthander Michael Morales had a simple answer when asked by the Mariners in late September why he had such success on the mound this season.
The 22-year-old threw a lot more strikes.
Morales struck out a career-high 147 batters over 149 innings between High-A Everett and Double-A Arkansas. He allowed 38 walks while also putting up a career-best 3.02 ERA and a 1.168 WHIP.
“He trusted his stuff more than he has in the past, and I think you can attribute that to some of the physical improvements that he’s made,” Mariners farm director Justin Toole said.
“Whether it’s getting stronger and being able to carry his performance throughout the course of the year, but also kind of that mentality of him believing in himself.”
Drafted out of a Pennsylvania high school in the third round in 2021, Morales struggled in his first professional season, posting a 5.91 ERA in 26 starts for Low-A Modesto in 2022.
Morales had a more successful second season in Modesto in 2023, but it all came together for him this year, especially once he got to Double-A, where he had a 1.09 WHIP in 12 starts with 25% strikeouts.
Morales’ newfound success might partially come from the gyro slider he added this season, but he also saw a jump in fastball velocity. Where once he sat 89-92 mph, he now touches the the mid 90s.
“One to two miles an hour is huge, just in the way that he can separate his pitches and what he’s able to do,” Toole said. “That was a huge reason for success when he got into Arkansas there at the end of the year.”
Morales definitely has the Mariners’ attention now.
“We’re always trying to find ways to help guys get over the hump or take that next step,” Toole said. “Mike, he’s one of those guys who definitely did it.”
MARINADE
— The Mariners named Michael Morales their Jamie Moyer co-pitcher of the year, an honor he shared with fellow Arkansas lefthander Brandyn Garcia. The 24-year old Garcia was dominant over 27 games between Everett and Arkansas this year, with a a combined 2.25 ERA, a 1.22 WHIP and 134 strikeouts in 116 innings.
— Mariners top prospect Colt Emerson was given the Alvin Davis “Mr. Mariner” award in a pregame ceremony at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 28. The shortstop hit .263/.393/.376 in a year mostly spent with Low-A Modesto and High-A Everett. Emerson’s numbers went down after his promotion to the Aquasox, but he ended the year on a tear, with 14 hits in his final nine games with three doubles.
