Archive for the 'Eduardo Morlan' Category

Jul 14

Down On The Farm: Rays Prospects Pounded In SL All-Star Game

Cody Cipriano, Eduardo Morlan, Jeremy Hellickson Cork Gaines No Comments »

Durham. (no game scheduled)

Montgomery. (no game scheduled)

Charlotte 7, Sarasota 4. Darin Downs picked up his 9th win in 13 decisions after giving up 1 run in 7 innings. He struck out 7 and walked 2. His ERA is now 2.23…Shawn O’Malley went 2-4 with a walk and an RBI…Emeel Salem was 3-4 with a triple and 2 RBI…Mike McCormick hit his first home run.

Lakewood 9, Bowling Green 4. Nick Barnese allowed 8 runs (5 earned) in 5.1 innings. He had given up just 4 earned runs total in his first 7 starts. It was just the second time he had allowed more than 1 earned run…Tim Beckham was 1-5 with 2 strikeouts, an RBI single and his 7th stolen base.

Hudson Valley. (no game scheduled)

Princeton 6, Bluefield 1.

Notes from Down on the Farm…

  • Rough night for Rays prospects in the Southern League All-Star game. Jeremy Hellickson and Eddie Morlan combined to give up 6 runs in 1.1 innings. Hellboy faced 5 batters, with 4 reaching base on a walk, a double, a triple and a 2-run home run. [MiLB]
  • Cody Cipriano has been promoted to Montgomery. [Rays Prospects]
Jul 01

Down On The Farm: Joyce Homers In 3rd Straight Game

Desmond Jennings, Eduardo Morlan, Jake McGee, Jeremy Hellickson, Matt Joyce, Rhyne Hughes Cork Gaines 2 Comments »

Durham 9, Columbus 6. Carlos Hernandez picked up his first win in his last 5 starts, holding Columbus to 2 runs in 6 innings. He struck out 4 and walked 2…Matt Joyce finished 4-5 with 2 doubles and his 9th home run. It was the 3rd straight game in which he homered and he has 4 in the last 7 games…Jon Weber (7), Rhyne Hughes (5) and Chris Nowak (4) also homered for the Bulls.

Montgomery 5, Jacksonville 1. Heath Rollins improved to 7-6 with just 1 run allowed in 8 innings on 7 hits and no walks. He struck out 5…Desmond Jennings went 0-5.

Charlotte vs Brevard Co.. (ppd. wet grounds)

Bowling Green 10, Rome 6. Joe Cruz evened his record at 3-3 after holding Rome to 1 run in 6 innings. He allowed just 5 hits and no walks, while striking out 4…Tim Beckham went 2-5 including his 4th home run, a 2-run shot…Keyong Kang went 2-4 with a double and 3 RBI…John Mollicone was 4-5 with a pair of home runs driving in 4.

Brooklyn 3, Hudson Valley 1.

Princeton 6, Greeneville 3.

Notes from Down on the Farm…

  • Jake McGee made his second start in the Gulf Coast League and we’d have to say that his arm looks to be healthy based on the starts. [Rays Prospects]
  • Jeremy Hellickson, Desmond Jennings, Eddie Morlan and Rhyne Hughes have all been named to the Southern League South Division all-star team…Anybody else find it strange that the Southern League has a South Division? Of course that is not as strange as having a North Division. [Our Sports Central]
Mar 18

[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss The Super-Utility Of Zorilla

Ben Zobrist, Brian Shouse, Eduardo Morlan, Jake McGee Cork Gaines 5 Comments »

phppIdpZ0Around these parts, we occasionally poke fun at the new vogue term “super utility” player. Back in the day, players like Jose Oquendo would regularly play all positions and we don’t ever remember him being called “super.” Nowadays, if a player has more than one glove in his locker, he is a “super-utility” player. And yet nobody can explain to us what the difference is between a utility player and one that is super.

Yesterday, in our post in which we broke down spring playing time, one commenter (thanks Charles) noticed that Ben Zobrist had played every position this spring except catcher. In fact we will take it a step further…Zorilla has started a game at every position this spring except catcher. And we wouldn’t be surprised if he was third on the regular season depth chart at that position also.

That, my fellow Raysheads, is super-utility.

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • If there is a best-case scenario for Tommy John surgery, Jake McGee may have found it. The injury was clean and the surgery was clean and to date he hasn’t had any setbacks and there is hope his elbow will be stronger than prior to the surgery. He will start the season in June or July with Port Charlotte and hopes to work his way up to double-A by the end of the season and expects to be 100% next spring. [MLB]
  • The Brewers have designated Eddie Morlan for assignment, in essence offering him back to the Rays for the fee of $25K. No decision has been made yet, but we assume he will be back with the club in a few days. [Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel]
  • Looks like Karma bit JC Romero (from the WFC*) right in his cheating ass. And why is he pitching in the WBC if he is currently suspended? [Bugs and Cranks]
  • The Rays Party makes a case for Jeff Niemann to be the fifth starter. [The Rays Party]
  • James Shields pitched against the Twins triple-A team throwing 5.1 shutout innings, giving up only 1 hit and striking out 5. Shields needed to pitch yesterday to stay on schedule to start the opening day with normal rest. [Tampa Tribune]
  • Matt Joyce also participated in the minor league game at Rays camp yesterday going 0-2 with a walk and a strike out. He said it felt great to get out on the field. [Tampa Tribune]
  • 8 years ago in triple-A, Jim Hickey may have saved Brian Shouse’s career by having him throw sidearm. Now they are back together with the Rays. [St. Pete Times]

Jan 27

Morlan Not Impressive In Winter Ball

Eduardo Morlan Cork Gaines No Comments »

There have been a lot of rumblings that the Rays made a mistake leaving Eddie Morlan unprotected in the Rule 5 draft. Surprise, surprise, maybe the Rays knew what they were doing…

“He was a power pitcher in high school, throwing 94-96, but he doesn’t have the power like he had then. Now he’s 88-91,” an AL scout said. “The slider, it’s inconsistent but when it’s good, it’s good.”

Unfortunately, this is a lose-lose situation for the Rays. If he is a great player, the Brewers will keep him. If he sucks, he will be the Rays’ problem. But yeah, we think the Rays have earned the benefit of the doubt at this point.

Jul 17

[DOWN ON THE FARM] Thayer And Cummings Strong In AAA All-Star Game

Andrew Friedman, David Price, Eduardo Morlan, John Jaso, Rocco Baldelli, Tim Beckham, Wade Davis Cork Gaines No Comments »

PCL 6, IL 5 (AAA All-Star game). Chris Richard started for the IL at first base and went 0-2 with a strike out…Dale Thayer pitched the 5th inning, allowing no runs on 1 hit and Jeremy Cummings got the call in the 7th inning, also holding the PCL scoreless while striking out 2.

Durham (all-star break)

Montgomery 7, Birmingham 5. Jino Gonzalez got the start in the first game after the SL All-Star break. He gave up 3 runs in 5 innings, including 2 home runs…Rashad Eldridge was 2-5 with a double, 2 RBI and 3 Ks…Rocco Baldelli batted 3rd and DH’d, going 1-3 with a single, a walk and a strike out…JT Hall was 2-3 with his 2nd home run since being promoted to double-A…David Price is expected to start today with Jeremy Hellickson taking the mound tomorrow. In his last outing, Price pitched a shortened 7 inning complete game to improve to 4-0 with Montgomery and 8-0 overall.

Dunedin 1, Vero Beach 0. Heath Rollins didn’t give up a run, but did walk 4 in 6 innings. He struck out 3.

West Virginia 14, Columbus 4. Brian Flores started and Glenn Gibson relieved. Together they gave up 10 runs (7 earned) in 5.2 innings…Mike McCormick drove in 1 run with a single in 3 at bats.

Auburn 12, Hudson Valley 7.

Burlington 7, Princeton 0. Tim Beckham played short and went 1-4. He did start a double-play in his only fielding chance.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • Eddie Morlan pitched one inning for the World Team in MLB’s Future’s Game during all-star weekend. [Montgomery Advertiser]
  • Wade Davis and John Jaso have been promoted to triple-A Durham, with the Southern League all-star game being their final appearances in double-A. [Montgomery Advertiser]
  • Wade Davis and John Jaso have to purchase some new clothes for their new team, and the two have very different tastes when it comes to shopping. [Montgomery Advertiser]
  • David Price has moved up to #2 as Baseball America has updated their list of baseball’s top 10 prospects. [Baseball America via The League]
  • Rocco Baldelli began his second rehab stint last night for double-A Montgomery. Andrew Friedman said that he is optimistic that Rocco will play for the Rays at some point this season. [Biscuits' Batter]
  • Nathan Rode of Baseball America made a trip to watch Tim Beckham play. Maybe he should go more often as Beckham collected his first extra-base hit as a pro. [Baseball America]
Jun 27

[DOWN ON THE FARM] McGee To Have Tommy John Surgery; Price And Beckham Make Debuts

Eduardo Morlan, Jake McGee Cork Gaines 3 Comments »

Lehigh Valley 10, Durham 8. Yikes. Chris Mason got pounded for 10 runs on 13 hits and a walk in 3.2 innings. The 13 hits included 3 doubles and 2 home runs…Jon Weber went 4-5 with his 9th home run…Elliot Johnson was 1-3 with a bases-clearing triple in the 5-run 5th.

Montgomery 8, Mobile 2. David Price made his double-A debut last night. He picked up the win after allowing 2 runs in 6 innings. He struck out 7 but did walk 4, gave up 4 hits (all singles) and hit a batter. After cruising through the first 2 innings without allowing a baserunner, Price struggled with multiple baserunners in the 3rd, 4th, and 6th innings…Chris Nowak was 4-5 and drove in 3, including a 2-run home run.

Vero Beach 6, Sarasota 1. Kevin Lynn started but was pulled after just 5 outs and 1 run…John Matulia was 3-5 with 2 runs driven in. He is now hitting .351 on the year…Cesar Suarez and Ryan Royster each added 3 hits.

Charleston 6, Columbus 2 (gm 1). Jason Ragan gave up 5 runs (4 earned) in only 2 innings…Glenn Gibson pitched 4 innings in the continuation of a rain-shortened game from the day before. He allowed only 1 run on 3 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 2.

Columbus 2, Charleston 1 (gm 2). Jesse Darcy started and improved to 4-0 and lowered his ERA to 2.01 with 1 run in 6.1 innings. He struck out 4 and walked none…Maiko Loyola had 1 of the Catfish’ 3 hits and drove in 1 run. He stole his 30th base.

Hudson Valley 3, Staten Island 2.

Princeton 7, Burlington 6. Tim Beckham made his professional debut as the Princeton DH. He batted 2nd and went 1-4 with an infield single in his first at bat. He would eventually score the Rays first run.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • Jake McGee is to have Tommy John surgery on his elbow. He will be lost for at least a year and will not be 100% until 2010 at the earliest…We used to say this all the time when the Rays supposedly had too many outfielders. The Rays do not have too many starting pitchers until they have too many at the major league level. Today that supposed depth has taken a major hit. [Biscuits' Batter]
  • Let us not forget that the Rays not only got Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett for Delmon Young, but they also received Eddie Morlan. Well, Morlan has been named to the World Squad and will pitch in the Futures Game during the all-star break. [Baseball America]
Jun 05

[DOWN ON THE FARM] Power Struggle Within Rays Over Posey Or Beckham

Buster Posey, Eduardo Morlan, Tim Beckham Cork Gaines 1 Comment »

Richmond 8, Durham 1. Chris Mason dropped to 2-6 after allowing 5 runs in 5.1 innings on 10 hits and no walks. He struck out 6…Reid Brignac had 2 of the Bulls 5 hits in 4 at bats.

Montgomery 10, Carolina 2. Richard de los Santos gave up 2 runs in 7 innings and evened his record at 5-5.

Jupiter 12, Vero Beach 1. Brandon Mann allowed 2 runs in 7 innings on 8 hits and 1 walk. He struck out 6…Wade Townsend faced 6 batters in relief and all 6 reached base on 3 hits and 3 walks. All 6 would eventually score….Matt Fields and Nevin Ashley were each 2-4.

Columbus 2, Savannah 0. Making just his 4th start of the season Jesse Darcy struck out 7 in 6 shutout innings. He allowed 3 hits and no walks. His K-to-walk ratio is now 42-to-5….Greg Sexton had 1 of the Catfish’ 3 hits and 1 of the 2 RBI.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • Baseball America says the Rays have narrowed their choice down to Tim Beckham and Buster Posey, with indications of a bit of disagreement within the organization on who to select. [Baseball America]


While Vandy third baseman Pedro Alvarez ranked first on BA’s draft board, he’s about third on Tampa’s board, according to industry sources. The top spot remains undecided. According to BA’s sources, the Rays’ scouting department prefers Georgia prep shortstop Tim Beckham, the kind of toolsy, middle-of-the-diamond athlete the Rays have drafted repeatedly—the kind of athletes that have put the Rays in first place in the American League East as the draft approaches. Others in the organization, such as de facto GM Andrew Friedman, are said to prefer Florida State catcher Buster Posey as the perfect complement to the organization’s impressive current stockpile of talent.

  • Eduardo Morlan, who is out with a sore shoulder threw in extended spring training, but his velocity was not as expected so he will stay a little longer. [Biscuits Batter]
May 01

[DOWN ON THE FARM] Chuck Tiffany Back On Mound After Nearly 2-Year Absence

Chuck Tiffany, Eduardo Morlan Cork Gaines No Comments »

Durham 2, Richmond 0. Mitch Talbot pitched what may have been his best performance since the 2006 Southern League playoffs by tossing 8 shutout innings last night. He struck out 6 and walks 1 and gave up 5 hits. ..Dale Thayer pitched a perfect 9th for his 5th save…Fernando Perez was 0-2 but did walk twice and stole his 3rd base…Joel Guzman and Reid Brignac provided the RBI, with Brignac batting in the 7th hole. He is hitting .244/.300/.400 on the season.

Huntsville 14, Montgomery 6. Jake McGee got pounded to the tune of 7 runs and was pulled with 2 outs in the 5th…Wade Townsend pitched 1 inning of relief after the game was decided…Ronnie Merrill had a home run for the Biscuits.

Palm Beach 5, Vero Beach 2. Matt Walker was pulled after 3 innings, after he walked 5 batters. Chuck Tiffany relieved him. That was his second appearance this season in his first action since the beggining of the 2006 season. Tiffany was the “other” player acquired along with Edwin Jackson from the Dodgers for Lance Carter and Danys Baez.

Asheville 4, Columbus 2. Brian Flores made only his 2nd start of the year and went only 4 innings, but he did strike out 9 and now has 25 in 19 innings this season…Emeel Salem was 0-4 and did not steal a base.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • Eduardo Morlan will take at least another week off to rest his sore shoulder before beginning to throw again…Rhyne Hughes is close to returning from a concussion. [Montgomery Advertiser]
Apr 26

[DOWN ON THE FARM] Eduardo Morlan To DL; Former Twins Now 3-For-3 With Injuries

Aaron Crow, David Price, Eduardo Morlan, Jake McGee, Jeremy Hellickson, John Jaso, Rhyne Hughes admin No Comments »

Charlotte 5, Durham 2. Mith Talbot gave up 5 runs in 6 innings.

Montgomery 8, Birmingham 3. Wade Davis held Birmingham to 2 hits and no runs in 7 innings. He struck out 4, walked 1. Thanks to two double plays, he faced 1 over the minimum…Ronnie Merril had 4 hits for the 2nd time in 3 nights.

Palm Beach 6, Vero Beach 1.

Columbus 6, Charleston 3.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • Eduardo Morlan and Rhyne Hughes went on the DL for Montgomery. Morlan’s injury is significant because now all three of the players received from the Twins for Delmon Young and Brendan Harris have been hampered by injuries in the first month of the season. [Biscuits Batter]
  • David Price threw a live bullpen session yesterday but there is still no timetable for his 2008 debut. [The Heater]
  • After a slow start, John Jaso is starting to weild a mean stick. He is in at #10 on Baseball America’s “Prospect Hot Sheet”. However, they do note that his time as a catcher may have a shlef-life. So far this season, base stealers are 25-26 against Jaso…Jeremy Hellickson is also mentioned as being just outside the Top 13. [Baseball America]
  • Tampa Bay’s Tomorrow takes a look at Jake McGee. [Tampa Bay's Tomorrow]
  • Minor League Ball is running a mock draft and the pick for the Rays is Aaron Crow, a pitcher from Missouri. [Minor League Ball]
Apr 19

[DOWN ON THE FARM] Scott Kazmir Pitches For First Time In ’08

David Price, Dioner Navarro, Eduardo Morlan, Jeremy Hellickson, John Jaso, Scott Kazmir admin 1 Comment »

Durham 7, Columbus 3.

Montgomery 8, Tennessee 5.

Vero Beach 8, St. Lucie 3. Scott Kazmir pitched 3 innings, allowed 1 hit, no walks, 1 unearned run. He struck out 3…In 4 plate appearances, Dioner Navarro walked twice, was hit by a pitch and flied out to center. He threw out the only base stealer and even stole third base himself. He was replaced by a pinch-runner in the 7th.

Columbus 6, Charleston 3.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • David Price is scheduled to throw a bullpen session today in extended spring training. [St. Pete Times]
  • Everybody’s favorite (except the Prof) Jeremy Hellickson comes in at #2 on Baseball America’s latest “Prospect Hot Sheet”. And one of the Prof’s personal faves, John Jaso also makes the sheet as a “Not Hot”.[Baseball America]


The Rays have moved Hellickson slowly through the minors and it certainly hasn’t hindered his performance. He’s fourth in the league in ERA (1.00) and tied for first with strikeouts (23). He more than doubled his strikeout total this week with a baker’s dozen against Jupiter.

  • Scott Kazmir’s biggest problem last night was getting used to the minor league baseball. [MLB]
  • The Montgomery Advertiser takes a closer look at Eduardo Morlan, the other player in the Delmon Young, Matt Garza, Jason Bartlett deal, who is being groomed as the Rays closer of the future. [Montgomery Advertiser]
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