Adam Morrissey
Encyclopedia
Adam Morrissey is an Australian minor league baseball
player. He is currently an infielder
with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
.
in the 1996-97 Australian Baseball League season
His status as the youngest player in the ABL was short-lived as Rikki Johnston debuted shortly thereafter.
Morrissey had also played for the Australian junior national team. He improved to .250/.416/.400 for the Eagles in 1997-1998 but fielded a very average .810. In 1999, he made his professional US debut with the AZL Cubs, batting a .296/.374/.409 clip. In the 1999-2000, he played for NSW Country in the International Baseball League of Australia
, batting .277/.373/.354. During the US season, he hit a powerful .275/.374/.428 and was 5th in the Northwest League
with 115 total bases for the Eugene Emeralds
. He was back in the off-season for the IBLA of 2000-2001, he would not play in the Australian leagues again through 2008.
Adam had a great 2001 for the Lansing Lugnuts
, posting a batting line of .309/.427/.524. He did not have a set position, being moved between second base, third base and the outfield. He was second in the Midwest League
in OBP behind Jason Maule and third in walks. After the season, the Chicago Cubs
traded him to the Oakland Athletics
in exchange for Mark Bellhorn
.
Morrissey split his first year in the A's organisation between the Modesto A's (.291/.383/.418) and Midland RockHounds
(.235/.323/.311).
In 2003, the Gosford born New South Welshman spent a full year with Midland, posting a batting line of .267/.335/.365 and stealing 9 bases in 10 tries. In the season of 2004, Morrissey was promoted and made his AAA debut for the Sacramento RiverCats, hitting .291/.358/.431 for a solid season; more importantly, he picked up his previously poor defence, posting a .977 average in 79 games at 2B. Sacramento won the Pacific Coast League
title. Morrissey dropped off in 2005, hitting .240/.270/.331 in 34 games for Midland and .250/.346/.351 in 55 for Sacramento.
Adam was moved to the Texas Rangers
organisation in 2006 and spent time with both the Oklahoma RedHawks
(.236/.296/.332 clip) and Frisco RoughRiders
(.313/.387/.457 clip), in his time at Texas, he threw 1 defensive inning, earning his team the win. In 2007, he was again moved, this time to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
organisation, playing for the Arkansas Travelers
and batting .263/.396/.383. He led the Texas League in walks (94). His glovework had improved to the point where he led the TL's second basemen in fielding percentage (.985) and double plays (79).
Morrissey split 2008 between Arkansas (.280/.347/.421 in 78 games) and the Salt Lake Bees
(.299/.376/.543 in 32 games). He was on the provisional Australian roster for the 2009 World Baseball Classic and was a possibility to debut for Australia but did not make the final cut.
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
player. He is currently an infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
.
Professional career
Morrissey made history when he became the youngest player in the Australian Baseball League at age 15, underperforming at a .179/.233/.214 clip in 12 games for the Hunter EaglesHunter Eagles
The Hunter Eagles were formed for the ABL 1994-95 season after purchasing the Sydney Wave's licence, who had left the league two seasons earlier. The Eagles played in the ABL until the ABL 1997-98 season, and did not have sufficient funds to remain in operation.- See also :*Sport in...
in the 1996-97 Australian Baseball League season
1996-97 Australian Baseball League season
The 1996-97 Australian Baseball League Championship was won by the Perth Heat, who defeated the Brisbane Bandits 2 game to 1 in the championship series at ANZ Stadium...
His status as the youngest player in the ABL was short-lived as Rikki Johnston debuted shortly thereafter.
Morrissey had also played for the Australian junior national team. He improved to .250/.416/.400 for the Eagles in 1997-1998 but fielded a very average .810. In 1999, he made his professional US debut with the AZL Cubs, batting a .296/.374/.409 clip. In the 1999-2000, he played for NSW Country in the International Baseball League of Australia
International Baseball League of Australia
The International Baseball League of Australia was a baseball league which existed from 1999 to 2002.The league was created by David Nilsson after he purchased the rights to the Australian Baseball League in 1999 when it was near financial collapse...
, batting .277/.373/.354. During the US season, he hit a powerful .275/.374/.428 and was 5th in the Northwest League
Northwest League
The Northwest League of Professional Baseball is a Class A-Short Season minor baseball league. The league is the descendant of the Western International League which ran as a class B league from 1937-1951 and class A from 1952-1954...
with 115 total bases for the Eugene Emeralds
Eugene Emeralds
The Eugene Emeralds is a minor league baseball team in Eugene, Oregon, United States. They are a short-season Class A team in the Northwest League, and have been a farm team of the San Diego Padres since 2001....
. He was back in the off-season for the IBLA of 2000-2001, he would not play in the Australian leagues again through 2008.
Adam had a great 2001 for the Lansing Lugnuts
Lansing Lugnuts
The Lansing Lugnuts are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Toronto Blue Jays, that plays in the Midwest League.The Midwest League came to Lansing, Michigan in 1996. The franchise began in Lafayette, Indiana, in 1955; after two seasons it moved to Waterloo, Iowa, where it...
, posting a batting line of .309/.427/.524. He did not have a set position, being moved between second base, third base and the outfield. He was second in the Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
in OBP behind Jason Maule and third in walks. After the season, the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
traded him to the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
in exchange for Mark Bellhorn
Mark Bellhorn
Mark Christian Bellhorn is a Major League Baseball second baseman who is currently a free agent. He is a switch-hitter and throws right-handed. He stands 6-1 and weighs 205 lbs.-Personal life:...
.
Morrissey split his first year in the A's organisation between the Modesto A's (.291/.383/.418) and Midland RockHounds
Midland RockHounds
The Midland RockHounds are a minor league baseball team based in Midland, Texas, USA. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics major league club. The RockHounds play in Citibank Ballpark, located in Midland. Opened in 2002, the stadium seats...
(.235/.323/.311).
In 2003, the Gosford born New South Welshman spent a full year with Midland, posting a batting line of .267/.335/.365 and stealing 9 bases in 10 tries. In the season of 2004, Morrissey was promoted and made his AAA debut for the Sacramento RiverCats, hitting .291/.358/.431 for a solid season; more importantly, he picked up his previously poor defence, posting a .977 average in 79 games at 2B. Sacramento won the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
title. Morrissey dropped off in 2005, hitting .240/.270/.331 in 34 games for Midland and .250/.346/.351 in 55 for Sacramento.
Adam was moved to the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
organisation in 2006 and spent time with both the Oklahoma RedHawks
Oklahoma RedHawks
The Oklahoma City RedHawks are a minor league baseball team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros...
(.236/.296/.332 clip) and Frisco RoughRiders
Frisco RoughRiders
The Frisco RoughRiders are currently the Class AA affiliate of the Texas Rangers major league baseball club. The team plays in the Texas League, assigned to the South Division. Prior to 2003, the franchise was based in Shreveport, Louisiana, and were known as the Shreveport Captains...
(.313/.387/.457 clip), in his time at Texas, he threw 1 defensive inning, earning his team the win. In 2007, he was again moved, this time to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
organisation, playing for the Arkansas Travelers
Arkansas Travelers
The Arkansas Travelers, also known informally as The Travs, are a Minor League Baseball team based in Little Rock, Arkansas. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Major League club....
and batting .263/.396/.383. He led the Texas League in walks (94). His glovework had improved to the point where he led the TL's second basemen in fielding percentage (.985) and double plays (79).
Morrissey split 2008 between Arkansas (.280/.347/.421 in 78 games) and the Salt Lake Bees
Salt Lake Bees
The Salt Lake Bees are a Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Bees serve as the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They play their home games at Spring Mobile Ballpark, known to fans as the Apiary, which was...
(.299/.376/.543 in 32 games). He was on the provisional Australian roster for the 2009 World Baseball Classic and was a possibility to debut for Australia but did not make the final cut.