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.

PhoulBallz Interview: Reading second baseman Jesmuel Valentin

Jesmuel Valentin, image- Jay Floyd Switch-hitting infielder Jesmuel Valentin has been a bit of an underrated contributor with the Double-A Reading Fightins. Heading into action on Friday, Valentin was batting .339 over his last 14 games. Overall this season, the 22-year-old is batting .282 with four home runs and 35 RBI in 64 games. Valentin, who plays mostly second base, but dabbles at shortstop a bit also, is the son of former big leaguer Jose Valentin . The Puerto Rico native was a supplementary round pick (51st overall) of the Dodgers in 2012. He was acquired by the Phils as part of the Roberto Hernandez trade in 2014. Recently, I spoke with Jesmuel about his team's success, growing up around the game and more. Read ahead for that full interview. -The Reading team has been great and you've contributed very nicely to the club's success. What are your thoughts on competition in the Eastern League this year? I just came here with the mindset that...

Catching prospect O'Hoppe tabbed to join Phillies

Logan O'Hoppe, image- Jay Floyd Please consider supporting my work and via my Patreon page . For a small monthly fee, your patronage will get you exclusive interviews and other prospect related material as well as early access to all of my other content such as this feature. Thank you. On Friday, the Phillies added a pair of catchers to their 2020 player pool. Minor leaguers Logan O'Hoppe (pronounced Oh-HOP-ee) and Henri Lartigue arrived in Philadelphia to help catch bullpen sessions for the team's collection of approximately 30 pitchers. The call to O'Hoppe was extremely welcome as the 20-year-old had been staying as active as he possibly could, working out with other players that have been been waiting out quarantine due to the current pandemic at his home on Long Island. However, he had been very eager to step back onto an actual baseball field. "I just hope I can play soon. Where ever that is or whatever form that is, that'd be aw...

Weekend Preview: Phillies at Yankees

The Phillies (22-17) head up to New York to take on the Yankees (24-17) in their new digs this weekend. It should be a fun Memorial Day weekend at the new Yankee Stadium. A record 75 homeruns have been hit at Yankee Stadium in the first 20 games there. The Phils haven't visited the Bronx since 2000. Read on for pitching match ups, game times, and plenty more notes. Friday, 7:05pm. Brett Myers (3-2, 4.50 ERA) vs. AJ Burnett (2-1, 5.02 ERA). Myers has had one career start against the Yankees. He won that game, in June 2006, by throwing 6 2/3 innings, striking out 11 and giving up just 2 earned runs. Myers is 3-0 on the road this season. Burnett has a 5-7 record in 16 career games against the Phils with a 4.57 ERA and 2 complete games. Burnett at home this season has no record in 4 starts, with a 4.15 ERA. Greg Dobbs is 4-for-6 in his career against Burnett with a double and 2 RBI. Matt Stairs is 2-for-8 off Burnett...both hits are homeruns . Saturday, 4:10pm. "Jay" Hap...

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