Franklin Morales Crystal Ball

by John Sickels on Apr 8, 2008 12:56 PM EDT

DISCLAIMER: the Crystal Ball Feature is NOT a prediction. The idea is to generate discussion about a player by presenting one possible outcome based on what we currently know about him. It's not just thrown together; I try to make it logical. Sometimes a CB represents a maximal outcome, sometimes they are more of a middle ground, as in this case.

Poll

Is this CB Too Optimistic, Too Pessimistic, or Just Right?

Too Optimistic; his career won't last that long

44 votes

Too Optimistic; his peak won't be that good

31 votes

Just Right

143 votes

Too Pessimistic; his peak will be better

401 votes

Too Pessimistic; his career will last longer

38 votes

657 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Wow, that seems pretty pessimistic

Even if we posit that he fails as a starter, wouldn't a hard throwing lefty like him make for an excellent reliever? And lefty relievers pitch past 33. Just a thought.

I guess 2011 is some kind of injury?

by fridge on Apr 8, 2008 1:39 PM EDT reply actions

LHP

I know he's a LHP, but I'd be surprised if he stayed an SP for so long with those awful K/9 and K/BB ratios...

Formerly Uncle Charlie of Minor League Ball

by Yakker on Apr 8, 2008 1:42 PM EDT reply actions

HR totals

I know Morales doesn't have a history of giving up gopher balls, but if he has a 12 year career as a starting pitcher then he will definitely allow more than 116 career HR... especially if half of his career is in the AL.

I think those crystal ball numbers equate to a decent career. Cut down on the walks and it would be even better.

by Burg177 on Apr 8, 2008 2:42 PM EDT reply actions

I love these!

They are just plain fun.

Just an honest question to John...

Isn't there at least an ELEMENT of prediction in these. Many of us have argued this on here from time to time. I suppose i might put down a set of numbers that I didnt really believe in just for discussion but it is tempting to see this as an OPINION by the person who puts the numbers down as well. Sometimes maybe?

One note from yours. Id imagine he'd get more than a one year deal from the Angels as a 26 year old lefty who threw nearly 200 Innings. Even if he had a recent injury history. Unless, of course, he was injured AGAIN late in 2013 :-)

This is not a bad career but my PREDICTION is that he will be more durable than this but maybe essentially as good overall. We'll see I guess eh?

by casejud on Apr 8, 2008 3:00 PM EDT reply actions

Angels...

That would be his 6th full season in the league. I'm not an expert at the whole arbitration clock and such, but I don't think last season counts as a year since he was only up for a short while. So I am guessing this Crystal Ball has the Rockies trading him to the Angels in the off-season before his 6th year. Then, based on that one year in the AL, and the fact that Morales is another SP who has the ability to walk 100 batters in a season, Baltimore gives him a four year deal.

"My mom always taught me it's better to laugh at yourself than to laugh at others. She was so wrong. ;)" -Pedrophile

by Boxkutter on Apr 8, 2008 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

2011

seems like he will be severely injured in 2011 and have many mediocre seasons since then

by tnfsh204 on Apr 9, 2008 2:55 AM EDT reply actions

Injury makes sense

If you follow John's "prediction" that he pitches over 200 innings at ages 22 and 23..... I dunno, I don't picture a bright future for Morales simply because he seems to be one of those kids with a great arm and no idea where it's going. Daniel Cabrera anyone?

by Lunkwill Fook on Apr 9, 2008 9:18 AM EDT reply actions

How was his velocity in his first start on Sunday?

Did anyone catch the game? Word in ST was that his velocity was down. His numbers looked good from the game(GB/FB ratio too).

feel free to share any thoughts from the game.

Go Pirates!!!

by cool hand Charlie on Apr 9, 2008 9:52 AM EDT reply actions

Totally different than what I think

He seems more like a Derek Lowe, Fausto Carmona, Joe Blanton type to me. He certainly has talent and the ability to get outs, but he will never sustain himself as an "ace." More of a solid #2 or #3 guy, and maybe when he's past his prime, he'll become a reliever. Either that or he has an injury around his prime age and becomes a closer.

The only blaring difference between him and the afforementioned comparisons are that he may lack the ability to get a whole lot of innings, but if he continues to start he will have lower ERAs than any of them.

by METSMETSMETS on Apr 9, 2008 9:02 PM EDT reply actions