Miami Marlins reel in Bryan Morris from Pittsburgh Pirates
Bryan Morris has a new home: South Beach.
Pirates trade Bryan Morris to Marlins for 39th overall pick in draft, club announces
— Travis Sawchik (@Travis_Sawchik) June 1, 2014
Today, the Miami Marlins traded for the reliever. The Pirates received a good return in getting the 39th overall pick in the upcoming draft. With the perceived depth of pitching in this year’s draft, the Pirates could quickly add an arm to their system. A good arm at that.
The reason behind the deal could be that Miami’s bullpen has been less than scintillating this season. The rankings of some pertinent stats…
ERA: 3.96, 11th
runs allowed: 79, 4th
walks: 84, 3rd most
BAA: .254, 14th
SLG: .401, 13th
WHIP: 1.48, last.
Those aren’t pretty numbers.
For the past two seasons, Morris himself has dealt with a penchant for walking opposing batters. In 2013, his BB/9 was 3.9. This season, that has risen to 4.6. Morris has surrendered 25 hits in 23.2 innings of work. Opponents are batting .294 of the righty, too. Last season, opponents managed a .243 BAA.
Not sure how adding Morris to the pen will help lower any of these bullpen’s numbers. And believe it or not, Marlins Park rates as being more hitter friendly than PNC Park. At least it has been this season. Add this from Sawchik…
Seems like a good return for Morris who was on roster bubble this spring
— Travis Sawchik (@Travis_Sawchik) June 1, 2014
Goes along with what I already stated about the pitching depth in this year’s draft.
In case you’re wondering, that #39 pick was part of the Competitive Balance round A. Those picks are eligible to be traded. The Marlins already held the #36 pick in this portion of the draft. They were unable to sign Matt Krook after selecting him in the same portion (Competitive Balance Round A) of last year’s draft.
As Sawchik also tweeted, Morris was hitting 95-97 this past spring.
Just have to get it across the plate and have them swing and miss more.