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.

Diekman a Late Addition to Mesa AFL Roster

On Wednesday, Phillies lefty pitching prospect Jacob Diekman made his Arizona Fall League debut. Diekman, who was drafted in the 30th round of the 2007 amateur draft, was assigned to Mesa late, in order to increase his 2010 innings total, according to Mesa hitting coach Mark Parent, who managed Diekman in Lakewood this past season. Diekman, 23, posted a 2-0 record with 1.90 ERA in 21 games with Class A Lakewood before being promoted to High-A Clearwater on June 24th. In 24 games with the Threshers, Diekman went 0-2 with a 3.66 ERA. Combined, Diekman tossed 55 2/3 innings and held opponents to a .187 batting average against at two levels in 2010. However, after not pitching in an official game since he threw a shutout inning to wrap up the Clearwater season on September 5th, Diekman was unable to record an out as all seven batters he faced reached base, six with hits, one on an error. Diekman was charged with 5 earned runs in the outing. Diekman had spent time at instructional ball from

McGwire Stays Phony, Despite Admitting Drug Use

Mark McGwire made an effort to publicly come clean today, admitting to the world that he took performance enhancing drugs during his playing career. Steroids and human growth hormones were among the drugs that McGwire admitted to using. MLB Network featured a one on one interview with Bob Costas and McGwire on Monday evening. The broadcast was virtually garbage, thanks to McGwire. Ahead is a list of quotes from McGwire's interview. McGwire repeatedly stated his point of view that there were no dishonorable intentions involved when taking steroids, and that he was merely using them as a means to recover from varying ailments. When asked if he felt like he cheated... "As I look back now...I can see how people would say that. As far as the talent goes and the hand-eye coordination, the ability, the genetics I was given...I don't see it." "I did not take this for any strength purposes." Denial. Read on for similar B.S. He whined about the abuse he's taken at

Bubby Rossman's long awaited MLB debut

Eight years after he initially signed a professional contract with the Dodgers and a five-year stretch playing away from affiliated ball, Bubby Rossman became a major leaguer on Wednesday. Added as a substitute for pitcher Kyle Gibson, who is restricted from travel to Canada for the Phillies' series in Toronto, due to his medical inability to be vaccinated from COVID-19, Rossman took the mound for the first time in the majors. Rossman, who was a 22nd round draft selection in 2014 had pitched in 200 professional games before his one-inning outing in the Phillies' 8-2 loss to the Blue Jays. In 27 appearances with Double-A Reading this year, the 30-year-old right-hander has performed well, tallying a 2-2 record with a save, a 3.32 ERA and a .200 batting average against. The embedded video below features a media session with Rossman from prior to opening day this year, in which the California native discusses his journey through independent baseball and back to affiliated ball wi

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