MM's Top 25: #24 RHRP Akeel Morris

#24 RHRP Akeel Morris (LR: N/A)
Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 6' 1" Weight: 170 lb
Age: 21
Acquired: 2010 Rule 4 Draft, 10th round, Amalie HS (St. Thomas, Virgin Islands)

2014: (A) 4-0, 0.80 ERA, 45.0 IP, 13.8 K/9, 3.6 BB/9, 0.756 WHIP
2013: (SS-A) 4-1, 1.00 ERA, 45.0 IP, 12.0 K/9, 4.6 BB/9, 1.156 WHIP
2012: (R) 0-6, 7.98 ERA, 38.1 IP, 11.7 K/9, 5.2 BB/9, 1.565 WHIP
2011: (R) 3-2, 3.86 ERA, 51.1 IP, 10.7 K/9, 6.7 BB/9, 1.325 WHIP
2010: (R) 1-1, 2.19 ERA, 24.2 IP, 10.2 K/9, 6.2 BB/9, 1.216 WHIP

     Hey!! Look who's made his way back onto the list! Morris regularly appeared on Mack's Keeper List in 2010  before debuting on the site Top 25 in 2011 at #25. However, the wheels fell of him and he lost his spot on the list in 2012 when he lost all control of his pitches and put up a 7.98 ERA in Kingsport.

     Well, now he's back but this time as a reliever not a starter. The move was made permanent in 2013 after it became clear to the Alderson organization that his violent max effort delivery and inconsistent command was not a fit for more than 1 or 2 innings at a time. However instead of giving up on Morris the front office challenged him in his new role with an unearned promotion to the NY-Penn League. Morris didn't disappoint as he carved up college level hitters with ease.This season he got his first crack at full season baseball and has been even better. He has finally learned to harness his control and has tightened up the spin on his 12-6 curveball.

     Now that he's able to maximize his full effort motion in the bullpen, Morris' fastball has been sitting in the 95-96mph range with the ability to hit triple digits if he needs to bring a little extra. Even though he's been progressing slowly through the system so far, if he continues his performance in Savannah, the team may fast track him through St. Lucie to Binghamton in 2015 with plans to debut him in 2016 if another power bullpen arm is needed.

Ceiling: High Leverage Late Inning Reliever.

Floor: Struggles at the upper minor league levels.

(As a side note....Morris is Rule 5 eligible this off-season so we'll get a good sense of the organization's plan for him if they protected him. With his stuff, a lower skill AL team may take the chance and hide him in the back of the bullpen for extreme low leverage situations.)