Bryan Morris
Encyclopedia
Avery Bryan Morris is a baseball pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates
organization. He is currently the starting pitcher for the Altoona Curve
, the Pirates Double A
affiliate in the Eastern League.
in the third round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft
, but he did not sign with Devil Rays. He re-entered the draft and was chosen again in the first round, 26th overall, in the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft
, by the Los Angeles Dodgers
. Morris is currently represented by Jim Kuzmich, a sports and entertainment attorney located in Gilbert, Arizona.
as the top prospect for entire rookie-level Pioneer League. He played in the league that season for the Dodgers affiliate, the Ogden Raptors
. He missed the entire 2007 season recovering from Tommy John surgery
. In 2008, Morris played for the Dodgers Single A
affiliate, the Great Lakes Loons
of the Midwest League
.
to the Boston Red Sox
and Manny Ramirez
to the Dodgers. Morris is considered the key prospect the Pirates received in the trade. He was immediately assigned to the Pirates then-Single A affiliate, the Hickory Crawdads
of the South Atlantic League
.
, the Pirates' Single A affiliate from 1995-2009. While in Lychburg, Morris posted a 4-9 record with a 5.57 ERA in 15 starts after spending 58 days on the disabled list with tendonitis in his right shoulder. During the Hillcats first round playoff game for the Carolina League
title, he was the winning pitcher in Game 5 of the best-of-five series against Wilmington Blue Rocks
.
The Pirates suspended Morris in August 2009 for "unprofessionalism" after arguing umpire calls. In 2010, the Pirates and Cincinnati Reds
swapped minor league franchises. As a result, the Reds took control of the Hillcats, while the Pirates received Cincinnati's Sarasota Reds. The Pirates then moved Sarasota's operations to nearby Bradenton
, where the club was renamed the Bradenton Marauders
. On March 8, 2010, Morris was the Opening Day
starting pitcher for the Marauders during their inaugural game. In eight starts for Bradenton, Morris posted a 3-0 record and a 0.60 ERA, the lowest among starters in all of minor league
baseball. He also limited opposing hitters to a .220 batting average while walking seven and striking out 40 in 44 2/3 innings.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
later reported that Pirates general manager Neal Huntington
, stated that Morris has a chance to land with Pittsburgh’s Triple-A affiliate, the Indianapolis Indians
, by August “if he can sustain what he’s doing.” Morris, was benched in Altoona by mid-season. After throwing 103 innings, he had shown signs of fatigue. The Pirates management wanted to limit Morris to around 130 innings. Pirates' GM, Neal Huntington stated that "Rather than limit his innings each start ... we felt it was good to take a couple starts off, tweak his delivery and then get him back out there." Huntington also added that he expects Morris to pitch again in 2010. Morris had a largely successful year in 2011. He stayed healthy for the entire season and threw for a career-high 133 2/3 innings.
Morris attended the Pirates spring training camp in 2011, however he was reassigned to the Curve. He is currently ranked #5 on the Pirates' Top 10 Prospects list and is projected be one of the first pitcher to be called up to Pittsburgh in 2011, should the need arise. In an interview with MLB.com
, Morris stated that he talks to other pitchers for valuable tips on throwing, like most other young pitchers do, however he also talks a lot with catchers for their perspective on how they attack hitters.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
organization. He is currently the starting pitcher for the Altoona Curve
Altoona Curve
The Altoona Curve are a minor league baseball team based in Altoona, Pennsylvania, named after nearby Horseshoe Curve . The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club...
, the Pirates Double A
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...
affiliate in the Eastern League.
Professional career
Morris was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil RaysTampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
in the third round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft
2005 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
, but he did not sign with Devil Rays. He re-entered the draft and was chosen again in the first round, 26th overall, in the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft
2006 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2006 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 6 and 7. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.-First Round Selections:...
, by the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
. Morris is currently represented by Jim Kuzmich, a sports and entertainment attorney located in Gilbert, Arizona.
Dodgers minor league system
In 2006, Morris was voted by Baseball AmericaBaseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
as the top prospect for entire rookie-level Pioneer League. He played in the league that season for the Dodgers affiliate, the Ogden Raptors
Ogden Raptors
The Ogden Raptors are a minor league baseball team in the Pioneer League based in Ogden, Utah, United States. The club plays at Lindquist Field, whose view beyond the outfield fence was named the best in professional baseball by a staff writer for Grand Slam Enterprises, INC.The Raptors are one of...
. He missed the entire 2007 season recovering from Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
. In 2008, Morris played for the Dodgers Single A
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...
affiliate, the Great Lakes Loons
Great Lakes Loons
The Great Lakes Loons, based in Midland, Michigan, is a Low Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team plays in the Midwest League and their home park is Dow Diamond, which opened in April 2007.-History:...
of 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...
.
Pirates minor league system
In August 2008, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates, as part of the three team trade that sent Jason BayJason Bay
Jason Raymond Bay is a Canadian professional baseball player. An outfielder, he currently plays for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball...
to the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
and Manny Ramirez
Manny Ramírez
Manuel "Manny" Arístides Ramírez Onelcida is a retired Dominican-American professional baseball outfielder. He was recognized for great batting skill and power, a nine-time Silver Slugger and one of 25 players to hit 500 career home runs. Ramirez's 21 grand slams are third all-time, and his 28...
to the Dodgers. Morris is considered the key prospect the Pirates received in the trade. He was immediately assigned to the Pirates then-Single A affiliate, the Hickory Crawdads
Hickory Crawdads
The Hickory Crawdads are a Minor League Baseball team in Hickory, North Carolina, USA. They are a Class A team in the South Atlantic League, and have been a farm team of the Texas Rangers since 2009. Previously, they were a Class A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Crawdads play home games...
of the South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
.
Lynchburg Hillcats-Bradenton Marauders
In 2009, Morris was assigned to the Lynchburg HillcatsLynchburg Hillcats
The Lynchburg Hillcats are a minor league baseball team in Lynchburg, Virginia. They are a Class High-A team in the Carolina League, and currently are a farm team of the Atlanta Braves. They had been a farm team of the Pittsburgh Pirates since 1995, with the Cincinnati Reds fulfilling the final...
, the Pirates' Single A affiliate from 1995-2009. While in Lychburg, Morris posted a 4-9 record with a 5.57 ERA in 15 starts after spending 58 days on the disabled list with tendonitis in his right shoulder. During the Hillcats first round playoff game for the Carolina League
Carolina League
The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic Coast of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
title, he was the winning pitcher in Game 5 of the best-of-five series against Wilmington Blue Rocks
Wilmington Blue Rocks
The Wilmington Blue Rocks are a Minor League Baseball team located in Wilmington, Delaware. The Blue Rocks play in the Northern Division of the Carolina League.-Franchise history:...
.
The Pirates suspended Morris in August 2009 for "unprofessionalism" after arguing umpire calls. In 2010, the Pirates and Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
swapped minor league franchises. As a result, the Reds took control of the Hillcats, while the Pirates received Cincinnati's Sarasota Reds. The Pirates then moved Sarasota's operations to nearby Bradenton
Bradenton, Florida
Bradenton is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's 2007 population to be 53,471. Bradenton is the largest Principal City of the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2007 estimated population of 682,833...
, where the club was renamed the Bradenton Marauders
Bradenton Marauders
The Bradenton Marauders are a minor league baseball team based in Bradenton, Florida that plays in the Florida State League. The Marauders are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Their home games are played at McKechnie Field, which also serves as the Pirates' spring training...
. On March 8, 2010, Morris was the Opening Day
Opening Day
Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball and most of the minor leagues, this day falls during the first week of April. For baseball fans, Opening Day serves as a symbol of rebirth; writer Thomas Boswell once penned a book...
starting pitcher for the Marauders during their inaugural game. In eight starts for Bradenton, Morris posted a 3-0 record and a 0.60 ERA, the lowest among starters in all of minor league
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
baseball. He also limited opposing hitters to a .220 batting average while walking seven and striking out 40 in 44 2/3 innings.
Altoona Curve
On May 16, 2010, Morris became the very first Marauder to get promoted, when he was called up to the Pirates Double A affiliate, the Altoona Curve.The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, also known simply as the "PG," is the largest daily newspaper serving metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.-Early history:...
later reported that Pirates general manager Neal Huntington
Neal Huntington
Neal Alden Huntington is the 12th person to serve as General Manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball organization...
, stated that Morris has a chance to land with Pittsburgh’s Triple-A affiliate, the Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
, by August “if he can sustain what he’s doing.” Morris, was benched in Altoona by mid-season. After throwing 103 innings, he had shown signs of fatigue. The Pirates management wanted to limit Morris to around 130 innings. Pirates' GM, Neal Huntington stated that "Rather than limit his innings each start ... we felt it was good to take a couple starts off, tweak his delivery and then get him back out there." Huntington also added that he expects Morris to pitch again in 2010. Morris had a largely successful year in 2011. He stayed healthy for the entire season and threw for a career-high 133 2/3 innings.
Morris attended the Pirates spring training camp in 2011, however he was reassigned to the Curve. He is currently ranked #5 on the Pirates' Top 10 Prospects list and is projected be one of the first pitcher to be called up to Pittsburgh in 2011, should the need arise. In an interview with MLB.com
MLB.com
MLB.com is the official site of Major League Baseball and is overseen by Major League Baseball Advanced Media, L.P. . MLB.com is a source of baseball-related information, including baseball news, statistics, and sports columns...
, Morris stated that he talks to other pitchers for valuable tips on throwing, like most other young pitchers do, however he also talks a lot with catchers for their perspective on how they attack hitters.