Charlie Morton, Braves, SP...
So, I keep hearing about this guy. He's got a big pitcher's body, he's 24, has a great curve, throws mid-90s, and an above average change. He's going to be in AAA.
The deal is that his control has been horrible since he was drafted. However, the story is that something clicked for him late last summer, and he's been fairly dominant since then (through August, into the fall league, and now into spring).
Cox seems to love the guy. However, I can't find any major publication that has written anything about the guy so I can't confirm his stuff or this idea that he's turned it around.
Ok, what else do people know about this guy? Has anyone seen him pitch? Is he for real or just another over-hyped spring prospect?
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meh
Curious to know why you think that...
I got the description of his stuff from various Brave articles and blogs, so not the best sources in terms of bias, but it's all I've got.
If his control gains aren't for real, then he won't even make the majors. But if his gains are for real, then the description of his stuff that I've found seem to indicate something better than back end.
Was there something you'd found or read that would make you believe he's a back-end guy? Like that his velocity is more low-90s/high-80s or something?
I mean...
Yeah, I agree with you...
Not to mention that he emerged, somewhat, statistically in the AFL, but didn't crack the top 20, and only got a brief mention in the chat.
I'm really not sure what to make of it. My only suspicion is that his reported velocity is exaggerated. You don't have to do much to be mentioned somewhere if you are throwing mid-90s gas. So the fact he's not mentioned, hasn't been injured, or anything like that makes me somewhat skeptical that his velocity is really as high as they say, and as I said, if he's got ordinary velocity then he's bullpen bound at best.
On the flip side, most prospectors are age-ist to a certain extent, and if he really is a late bloomer, then he may be getting overlooked because he's 24 and really hasn't done anything noteworthy from a statistical standpoint.
wait what
by nms on Mar 3, 2008 7:14 PM EST up reply actions
Not a lot, no, at least not recently
Hmmmm
But only a few can ever be "top" prospects, by definition....I think it's quite common for good MLbers to not have ever been top prospects.
Just found this scouting report...
Charlie Morton, rhp
Morton isn't nearly as developed as Rosen, but his ceiling is considerably higher. The 6-foot-4, 180-pounder has an ideal pitcher's frame with long arms and the chance for above-average stuff. He throws a fastball at 87-90 mph now and may reach 94-95 one day because he has excellent arm speed. He has little feel for his craft right now, but he has command of a go-to breaking ball that should have a late, hard break with more work.
MOrton
Now, what I read was that he had tinkered with his delivery to get more downward drive on the ball and his command had improved noticeably.....but that was only for a few starts last season, maybe not even until fall ball (AFL).
All in all, I've filed this under my own "watch closely", but not "run out and grab". There are a lot of guys who tinker, and the local pubs get excited, and it doesn't amount to squat. OTOH, it sounds like he really has the stuff to be solid if something really has clicked.
No citatations for you, because I think I;m just recycling all the blog news that you probably already have. It's a vicious cycle....
I just found a BA team update...
The consistent things in his description have been the top notch curve, and above average change, then the velocity reports are a little different as are the reports of a fourth pitch.
Well, he pitches for the Braves again today. I'm hoping someone who posts will catch the game, or see it somewhere, and give some velocity reports.
I like him because he's big, has the secondary stuff, may have the velocity, his older, playing at a high level for an org that can develop pitchers, and has opportunity given the backend state of the Braves rotation. So he's a guy I'm leaning towards grabbing, just want more information on his velocity.
Kevin Hart
While you are all tracking Morton, take a look at Hart- he could be a real sleeper in Cubbyland.
by yoshimi on Mar 3, 2008 2:28 PM EST reply actions
Morton
Nice...
Do you have an account with Scout.com? I often get directed to their site, but haven't signed up yet. Do you like their magazine?
Scout.com magazine
Game
Morton
I agree for the most part, but...
All that said, I tend to think that Morton is getting too much credit for that endlessly-referenced 5 innings in the AFL. I think he's got a legit shot to be a useful ML player, but I don't think it's very likely that he becomes an impact starter.
Morton
The Braves drafted him a few years ago knowing he would be a project and he has been on their radar all along.
No his track record isn't great but he is a cold weather kid with great potential who has finally started to realize it.
BA Prospect Handbooks
In both years, they said his curveball was his best pitch and his fastball resided in the low 90s. He needed better command and a better changeup to be anything more than a MR.
by WayneCampbell05 on Mar 3, 2008 9:30 PM EST reply actions
changeup
I was gonna say...
Adding a 3rd above-average pitching would be huge for his prospects as a starter.
consistency
Morton.
not the scouting report I've heard at all
Interesting
57. Charlie Morton, SP, Braves
Projected 2008 role: starter-in-waiting at Triple-A
Here is a deep sleeper alert, as Morton never has had the production commensurate with his stuff. He has put up terrible numbers in the minors, including a 4.29 ERA and 1.47 WHIP as a reliever at Double-A. But he might have turned the corner as a starter at the Arizona Fall League after making some mechanical changes to keep him from throwing across his body. He showed a mid-90s fastball and solid secondary pitches and finally seemed to find consistent control, putting him in contention for a big league role in 2008. I got a lot of the same vibe that I did while watching James Shields at the AFL in 2005.
You know after reading all these threads James Shields came to my mind also. I got lucky and nabbed Shields when a report came out similar to this... and i was rewarded.
FWIW
I'm not saying Morton won't "break out". I just don't think it's especially likely.
ajc article
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/02/26/braves_0227.html

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