Bryan Morris

Morris broke through during his third major league season, tossing 61.1 inning between the Pirates and Marlins with a 1.76 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. The right-handed power reliever boasts a 95 mph fastball and demonstrated an excellent ability to keep the ball on the ground (59.4 GB%) while also limiting the damage when runners did reach (six home runs allowed in 64.1 innings). Morris was able to cut his walk rate last season, posting a career-best 8.8% BB rate, but could still stand to show some improvement in that area as he is exposed to more high-leverage situations. A groin injury cut Morris’ season a few weeks short last year but he is fully expected to be without limitations in camp. While a regression with the ERA is certainly on the horizon, a slight bump in strikeout rate coupled with his consistent ability to induce groundballs could allow Morris to develop into a very reliable option at the back end of Miami’s bullpen.

Morris put together a respectable showing in his first full, big-league season. He pitched situationally in relief, appearing in 55 games and 65 innings. Morris compiled a 3.46 ERA and 1.31 WHIP, and his 37:28 K:BB ratio indicates that he has plenty of room for improvement. The righty also registered a 4.61 K/BB in parts of two Triple-A seasons. Surprisingly, Morris's numbers were some of the worst in Pittsburgh's bullpen and he bore the brunt of plenty of criticism. He's got the stuff to succeed at the major-league level, including a 94.1 mph average fastball and 2.3 GB/FB rate. Expect him to spend another season in middle relief as he learns his craft.

The last remaining hope from the 2008 Jason Bay deadline deal, Morris continued his transition into a relief pitcher last year. The 2012 campaign marked the first time in his six minor league seasons that he didn't start at least one game. He threw 81 Triple-A relief innings, registering a 2.67 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. He finished out 14 games, saving five. Morris also debuted in September for the Bucs, allowing one run in five relief innings. Look for him to be a part of Pittsburgh's bullpen in 2013. He'll probably begin as a sixth-inning option, but his performance could dictate a late-inning opportunity.

Morris tore through High-A Bradenton before plateauing at Double-A Altoona in 2010. The 24-year-old right-hander allowed three earned runs in 44.2 innings with the Marauders, registering a sparkling 40:7 K:BB ratio. Pittsburgh GM Neal Huntington was so excited he speculated that Morris might advance to Triple-A by August. Alas, his Double-A showing didn't go nearly so well. Morris compiled a 4.25 ERA and 1.315 WHIP in 89 innings, and his 84:31 K:BB ratio wasn't as impressive. Depending on how well he throws at Triple-A, he could find himself in Pittsburgh sometime late in the 2011 season. Based on the way he handled advancing last summer, however, a September callup might be his best hope.

Morris instantly became one Pittsburgh's best long-term prospects when he was acquired from the Dodgers at the trade deadline last year. Morris, a first-round pick with Los Angeles in 2006, underwent Tommy John surgery and missed all of 2007. Last season, Morris went 2-4 with Los Angeles, compiling a strong 3.20 ERA and 71:32 K:BB ratio in 17 starts. After coming to Pittsburgh, the hard-throwing righty pitched in just three games before being shut down. With a limited sample size, Morris went 0-2 with a 5.02 ERA and 11:12 K:BB ratio. Morris, who will likely begin 2009 at Low-A Hickory or High-A Lynchburg, could swiftly move through a spotty system, but he probably won't make the big leagues for another couple seasons.

Morris was one of two first-round picks of the Dodgers in 2006 (Clayton Kershaw being the higher pick), but after undergoing Tommy John surgery shortly in October of that year, he's has fallen off the prospect radar. Prior to the surgery, Morris was said to touch 95 on the radar gun with a plus curve, so it will be interesting to see where his stuff is once he gets back on the mound. He was reportedly hitting 93 in instructional league, so if his command is there in 2008, you'll be hearing a lot more about him.