What's Up With Franklin Morales???

by dancer on Apr 29, 2008 1:31 AM EDT

This kid is currently ranked in BA's Top 10 prospects, had a real nice first season last year, especially the last month or so, but now it seems like he's lost it. His FB is now topping out at about 88, which is alarming since he was low-mid 90's consistently last year----and he's walking a lot of hitters. He also had a very poor spring. . I just picked him up off the waiver wire hoping he would soon turn things around and I would have perhaps a stud young pitcher, but he had another poor performance tonight against the hapless Giants offense. Anyone have any thoughts as to where he might go from here------can he find what's currently missing and become the stud that BA predicted him to be---and at least get back to where he was last year? This is puzzling unless he is hurting without telling anyone.

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Loss in velocity is puzzling. I would say maybe he’s hurt but he was so good at the end of last year and it doesn’t really seem like there was a spot where he “got” hurt. I thought he would struggle of the gate for a variety of reasons. One, it seems like a lot of the Venezuelan players aren’t quick starters. Two, he was coming off the WS hangover. And, three, he didn’t have real great control anyways. That said, if his stuff comes back – we are in the same spot as we were (ie an improvement in control means great SP – nonimprovement means back of the rotation or reliever). Still puzzled by the stuff though…

by Dfarth on Apr 29, 2008 1:59 AM EDT 0 recs

Morales

Personally I thought he’s been overrated, especially after BA’s very high ranking. Of course it’s easy to come out and say this now, but he has just never impressed me at all. I haven’t watched him to much this year but it could be possible he is hiding an injury with the velocity down, hard to say.

by hybrid on Apr 29, 2008 4:07 AM EDT 0 recs

Loss in velocity?

I was watching his start last night against the Giants and his velocity was consistently in the low 90s (sitting around 92 mph). His curve also looked very good. Unfortunately, he didn’t seem to have much control or command of either pitch.

Now raise your goblet of rock. It's a toast to those who rock!

by Dewey Finn on Apr 29, 2008 11:07 AM EDT 0 recs

from small ball to the long ball

2007
Fastball 94
Change 79

2008
Fastball 92
Change 83

by sungod7 on Apr 29, 2008 11:13 AM EDT 0 recs

His luck ran out?

...and curse Sir Walter Raleigh, he was such a stupid git.

by t ball on Apr 29, 2008 11:57 AM EDT 0 recs

22

He’s a 22 year old lefty trying to break in at Coors. There will be growing pains.

by aCone419 on Apr 29, 2008 2:54 PM EDT 0 recs

"Show me that smile again"

9 strikeouts (and 17 walks) in 25 innings seems to be a little more concerning than mere “growing pains”

by jonk1982 on Apr 29, 2008 5:41 PM EDT up 0 recs

Phil Hughes

says hi

by RollingWave on Apr 29, 2008 10:49 PM EDT 0 recs

Tonight

Rockies announce Morales is being sent down to Triple-A.

by jonk1982 on Apr 29, 2008 11:23 PM EDT 0 recs

Perfect for Me!!

I just picked up Morales last week off the waiver list-—Im in a NL only keeper league and picked him up actually hoping he might get shelled and sent down to work on his stuff-—I can now reserve him and hopefully whenever he comes up he’ll have his stuff together and be a productive young starter for me if not this year, then maybe next. The first part of my plan has worked—-now lets see if the second half works!!!

by dancer on Apr 30, 2008 1:26 AM EDT 0 recs