NYJER MORGAN

7/2/80; '02 33rd; Walla Walla (WA) CC
L/L; 6-0, 180

Level	BA	OBP	SA	AB	2B	3B	HR	BB	K	SB	CS
2003 A-	.343	.439	.399	268	7	4	0	33	44	26	17
2004 A	.255	.358	.337	514	16	7	4	53	120	55	16

Morgan has been one of the more successful of the many speedy, slap-hitting OFs that the Pirates have signed in the last several years. His primary scholastic sport was hockey, so he came to the Pirates with limited baseball experience. After signing too late to play in 2002, he finished second in the NY-Penn League in both batting and OBP in 2003, and was named the league's 8th best prospect. His hitting fell off significantly at Hickory, although he continued to get on base at a fairly good rate. His walk rate was decent and he enhanced his OBP by getting hit with 33 pitches, a tendency he enhances by wearing a baggy uniform. His K rate is too high, however, for a guy who has very little power. Morgan is an outstanding bunter and a good defensive CF. He's very fast and, after posting a poor SB % in his first year, he clearly improved his skills considerably. One major drawback with him is that he'll be 25 in the middle of next season, which he should spend at Lynchburg. Another roadblock he'll face is off-season shoulder surgery, which will keep him out until mid-season. His age and the fact that his hitting fell off so much at Hickory make his chances of a major league career look doubtful.

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