Adam Morgan

Morgan had a mixed 2018 campaign. He made some improvements in certain areas, cutting his home run-rate (0.9 HR/9) and improving his ERA. However, he experienced a decline in other areas, most notably his strikeout and walk rates (9.1 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9). His value also took a hit due to a change in role. In 2017, he was primarily used as a multi-inning reliever, but he shortened up and became more of specialist last season. He only made nine appearances of more than one inning in 2018. As a result, he logged 5.1 fewer frames in 2018 than he did in 2017 despite appearing in nearly twice as many games. The southpaw figures to fill a similar role for Philadelphia in 2019, working primarily against same-handed hitters.

After struggling as a starter to the tune of a 6.04 ERA in 2016, Morgan moved to the bullpen last season and enjoyed much better results. He rode a strong 10.4 K/9 rate to a 4.12 ERA -- an unremarkable number but one that at least is deserving of a major-league role. Morgan's 3.47 xFIP suggests that his ERA could trend lower in 2018. One out of every five flyballs Morgan allowed left the park last season -- a number which can be expected to regress next season. Morgan will enter 2018 as the Phillies' top lefty in the bullpen barring free-agent additions, and could hold some value in deep leagues by getting a fair number of strikeouts in middle relief. Owners in shallower leagues will have little reason to look at Morgan, though, as he's highly unlikely to sniff the closer role.

Morgan pitched well enough last spring to earn a rotation spot but ultimately lost out to Vince Velasquez and was shipped off to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start the season. He was recalled in late April after Charlie Morton was lost for the season, but he struggled and was ultimately sent back to the minors in July. He was given yet another chance to start in August after Zach Eflin underwent season-ending surgery but again failed to impress. Morgan did pitch well in Triple-A last season, but he has been unable to translate that success to the majors. He works in the low-90s with his fastball and does not have a true put-away pitch in his arsenal. He added a two-seam fastball during the summer and started to use that pitch more than his four-seamer. Unfortunately, it did not produce improved results, but perhaps Morgan needs more time to refine the pitch. He will compete for a rotation spot this spring.

Morgan was once a top prospect in the Phillies minor league system before shoulder surgery slowed his momentum and stole some of the velocity from his fastball. He missed all of 2014 and opened last season in the minors. The Phillies gave him a surprising promotion in June despite mediocre numbers at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, but Morgan managed to pitch well enough all season to remain in the rotation until getting shut down in mid-September to limit his innings. Morgan's fastball, which once sat in the low-90s, now averages 89 mph. He tries to keep hitters off balance with a slider and changeup as the raw stuff is not there to put hitters away with his fastball alone. He should open the season with a spot in the Phillies' rotation and could stick until younger arms in the system start pushing their way to the majors.

Morgan is expected to be sidelined until August after undergoing shoulder surgery in the offseason. He missed two months of action last season after being diagnosed with a small tear in his rotator cuff. The timing could not have been worse for Morgan as he was considered the most ready of any of the Phillies’ minor league arms at the start of last season. Morgan is unlikely to be a factor until 2015, and that assumes his arm strength comes all the way back after surgery.

Morgan, a third-round pick in 2011 out of the University of Alabama, skipped Low-A ball last season and opened the year with High-A Clearwater. He dominated the competition in the Florida State League and earned a promotion to Double-A Reading in August where he continued to pitch well. Morgan works in the low-90s and complements his fastball with a slider, curveball and change-up. He's not a high-upside prospect, but has the look of a solid mid- or back-of-the-rotation starter.