Prospect Nation 2013: #2 LHP Adam Morgan

Lefty hurler Adam Morgan progressed more than any other Phillies prospect over the past year. Drafted in the third round in 2011 out of the University of Alabama, Morgan quickly made an impact in the Phils' system upon debuting as a pro, and only sped up his progress last season when he became a force on the pitching mound.

After posting a 3-3 record with a 2.01 ERA in 11 starts in his debut professional season as a member of the short-season Class A Williamsport Crosscutters, Morgan skipped full season A level Lakewood and began the 2012 season in the Florida State League. With the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, Morgan tallied a 4-10 record with a 3.29 ERA and was named a mid-season All-Star.

His win-loss record certainly doesn't accurately convey the true effort that Morgan put forth with the Threshers, as he held opponents to a .227 batting average while averaging 10.24 K/9, posting a 1.10 WHIP and sporting a 2.62 SIERA in 21 games (20 starts).

In July, the six-foot-one 195-pounder posted a 1.29 ERA in five July starts and was named as the Phillies' minor league pitcher of the month. Soon after, the 23-year-old found himself promoted to Double-A Reading, where he helped the club lock down a playoff spot in the Eastern League. In six regular season starts with Reading, Morgan tallied a 4-1 record with a 3.53 ERA.

Morgan's pitch repertoire includes a fastball that resides in the low 90's typically, a plus change up that scouts like a lot, a very good slider and a curve ball that could use some refinement. If the curve ball doesn't come along, it could wind up being dropped from the menu, but with the slider that Morgan considers his out pitch, he'll still have a strong selection of offerings.

The Georgia native also exhibits good control, as he has tallied a 6.2 walk percentage over the past two seasons, which is remarkably good, for a pitcher in his first year and a half in the minors.

A very goal oriented individual, Morgan views his father, Wiley, as his hero. Dating back to 5th grade, Adam wanted to be just like the elder Morgan and proclaimed at a young age that he would some day pitch for Alabama, just like his father. Displaying with that achievement that he can do virtually anything he sets his mind to, Morgan has barely started accomplishing everything he wishes to do on the baseball field.

The upcoming season should see Morgan pitching with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs at some point sooner than later. The youngster currently projects to be a big league starter that could fill a middle of the rotation spot. Look for a big league arrival in 2014 for Morgan, who certainly has the potential to make that happen sooner, if he progresses at the same rate this year as he did in the previous season.

Lidge Shaky, T-Mac Honored in Trenton

TRENTON, NJ- Brad Lidge made his second rehab appearance for the Double A Reading Phillies on Thursday night and it didn't go as well as the veteran reliever or the team had hoped. Lidge struggled with his command and turned in a rather poor outing for the club that entered the night in a playoff race, 1 game behind division rival Trenton for the Wild Card spot in the Eastern Division. On the disabled list since spring training with a strained right rotator cuff, Lidge experienced an elbow strain when he was working back from that issue in late May. In his outing against the Yankees affiliate in Trenton, Lidge displayed difficulty with his control as he threw three wild pitches, hit two batters, walked another and gave up a single, all while letting up two earned runs on 28 pitches in 2/3 of an inning. After the disappointing performance, Lidge was composed and focused on some positive aspects, having reached 89 and 90 MPH on scouts' radar guns, according to some reports. ...

Jason Knapp Q&A

PhoulBallz .com was fortunate enough to meet with Phillies prospect Jason Knapp just one day after he caught the attention of the baseball world with his 7 shut out innings, 14 strike out performance against the Indians' Lake County team. - I asked Jason, the Lakewood BlueClaw , for some thoughts about his big game... I had pretty good command of three pitches (fastball, curve, change up). I was on the same page with my catcher, D'Arnaud , and I ended up, ya know, I felt pretty good. - In a great performance like that, how much credit goes to Travis D'Arnaud , the catcher? More than you might expect, definitely. I didn't shake him off once. He told me what to throw and I do what I'm told. And if it works out, a lot of the credit goes to the catcher. - Does the lack of run support (Lakewood has scored 3 total runs in his 3 starts), in your few starts, increase your stress level, or enhance your focus? No, I just try to go out and do my job every outing. Ya know, we...

Eric B Needs to be Cut (and My Name is Rakim)

While the Phillies are on a hot streak this month, one player on the team is not. Eric Bruntlett is 1-for-12 in July. Since the start of May, Bruntlett's apex in batting average has been .167 on June 14th. Bruntlett's ineptitude can be tolerated no longer. Get rid of this guy NOW! Eric B. is the 2009 Endy Chavez. Remember Endy...the guy who in 2005 managed just 2 hits in his final 42 games played as a Phillie? That is about the sort of output the Phillies are getting from Bruntlett, and it's time to fix this void. Julio Lugo was designated for assignment last week by the Red Sox and is expected to become a free agent. The Metropolitans are rumored to be interested. Why wouldn't the Phillies be interested in a guy who could surely outhit Bruntlett? Lugo was hitting .284 through 37 games played this season with Boston. Suspended Lehigh Valley IronPig Pablo Ozuna is eligible to return next Wednesday. Ozuna is batting .294 through 51 games at triple A. Miguel Cairo is also...

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