With 10 strikeouts against the Greenville Astros Monday, Virgin Islander Akeel Morris is showing he’s not to be taken lightly in the Rookie League, the precursor to single-A minor league clubs.
Playing at home for the Kingsport (Tenn.) Mets — the New York Mets’ affiliate — Morris went 6 1/3 innings before being pulled in the top of the seventh with the lead. But the bullpen let him down, giving up the lead on the way to a 6-5 loss.
That leaves him at 0-2, which may not be the best indicator of his talent.
Speaking over the phone later, Morris seemed pleased with his progress.
"I just feel like I’m progressing every day, competing as hard as a can while working on my pitching," Morris said. "I feel like I’m doing good at progressing through the system. In terms of this game, I felt that I did good — I went six and one-third, gave up three runs and had 10 strikeouts and three walks.
"The last inning I didn’t get to finish pitching because I gave up the walks and some runs, but I think I was doing good before that."
The media world already appears to be agreeing with Morris. After the game, minor league blogger Toby Hyde had this to say about the teenaged pitcher: "Morris now leads the Appalachian League with 36 strikeouts. The 18-year-old Morris is holding opponents to a .211 average, and is averaging an impressive 13.7 K/9 (13.7 strikeouts per every nine innings). Morris is struggling with his command (5.3 BB/9, or 5.3 walks per every nine innings), but his ability to miss bats on a consistent basis is a testament to the quality of stuff he possesses."
"I always expect myself to do good," Morris said, when asked if he was surprised by his fast success. He said that he has been working on his fastball and his off-speed pitch, and is functioning right now with a fastball and changeup.
His next start will be next week against the Bristol White Sox.
