Houston Astros: How Charlie Morton unleashed his untapped potential
By Kyle Cardoza
The Injury
It wasn’t supposed to happen.
It’s clear that no pitcher wants to get injured. But many acknowledge its possibility, especially when they feel a twinge in their elbow or a pull in their throwing shoulder.
No pitcher anticipates suffering a devastating injury when they run 90 feet to first base. But that’s precisely what happened.
Morton dropped a bunt in front of Milwaukee’s Chase Anderson, then sprinted down the line to avoid a double play. He tripped, landing awkwardly on his left foot, before being helped off the field.
It was an unexpected end to Morton’s campaign with the Phillies. He didn’t get an opportunity to pitch again for the squad, sitting out more than six months before deemed healthy.
The former Pirate’s body endured so much throughout nine years in the MLB – two hip surgeries, Tommy John surgery, and the recent hamstring one. However, that didn’t reduce his competitive spirit and willingness to revive his career down south.
Nevertheless, a comeback wasn’t written in the stars either. Morton’s career was graded as mediocre at best before he signed the contract.
The curve-baller wasn’t a top-of-the-rotation guy.
Today’s signing, Charlie Morton, was number one on the free agent curveball spin list. The Astros love spin.
— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) November 16, 2016
He was unsteady, essentially alternating between ERAs above and scarcely below 4.00. His best numbers came in 2013, when he boasted a 3.26 ERA and an unremarkable 1.28 WHIP.
Morton seemed destined to be nothing more than a hack veteran used to eat up innings on a rebuilding team. Before 2017, he owned a 46-71 overall record. He pitched in just one playoff game up to that point.
Nothing made his resumé shine. Morton had no All-Star appearances under his accomplishments, nor any postseason victories.
Morton’s blank page of achievements filled up after less than an entire year with Houston.