Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Q&A with Eddie Morlan

Ft. Myers Pitching Prospect

Good morning! I am very happy and excited to bring you yet another Q&A of a Twins minor league prospect. This is the first of hopefully many Q&As with Twins prospects throughout the year. (Side Note - if you haven't already, be sure to e-mail me your question or questions for Kevin Slowey)

Eddie Morlan was the Twins third round draft choice in 2004 out of Coral Park High School in Miami, Florida. Although he was drafted after Glen Perkins, Kyle Waldrop, Matt Fox, Jay Rainville and Anthony Swarzak in the 2004 draft, many believe that he may have the highest ceiling and the brightest future. He has pitched out of the bullpen and as a starter in his young pro career already, and in both roles, he has averaged more than a strikeout an inning. He could be a very good big league starter someday. He could be an absolutely dominant closer in the future as well. He is currently playing in the Ft. Myers bullpen where in April, he had an excellent April. He was 1-0 with a 0.84 ERA in seven games. In 10.2 innings, he walked two and struck out nine! (If you would like, you can check out his career numbers here.) In my preseason Top 50 Twins prospects ranking, Morlan ranked #7. This guy has a huge arm and a huge future.

If you would like to see what other Twins prospects I have had Q&As with, please be sure to check out a page I created with all of my Q&As. Today, I want to thank Eddie Morlan for taking the time to answer some questions for us! I really hope that you all enjoy the Q&As. If you have any comments for me or Mr. Morlan, please e-mail me, and I will try to answer your questions or forward them on to him and see if we can get you an answer. Also, leave Comments below if you would prefer.

Let the Questions Begin!

SethSpeaks: You were born and grew up in Cuba. How much do you remember about when you and your family went to Spain for vacation and just never went back to Cuba? How old were you? Was that a difficult or scary time?

Eddie Morlan: I was twelve years old when my family and I left Cuba. It was difficult for us because we left behind the rest of our family seeking a better future.

SethSpeaks: What are a couple of the day-to-day differences you found in American, compared to Cuba? What was the adjustment to your new life like?

Eddie Morlan: The biggest adjustment was the different life styles and the language.

SethSpeaks: Do you still have family in Cuba? How hard was that?

Eddie Morlan: Like I said before, the rest of my family remains in Cuba, and it was the toughest decision we made.

SethSpeaks: Do you still have family in Cuba? How hard was that?

Eddie Morlan: Like I said before, the rest of my family remains in Cuba, and it was the toughest decision we made.

SethSpeaks: You then moved to Miami and grew up there. Who was your favorite team and who were some of your favorite players to watch?

Eddie Morlan: My favorite team was the Yankees, and I was a big fan of Ken Griffey, Jr.

SethSpeaks:  Tell us a little about your high school baseball experiences. Did you participate in other sports or activities? 

Eddie Morlan: Baseball was the only sport I played and since it was very time consuming, I did not have time for anything else.

SethSpeaks: And then the Twins drafted you last summer in the 3rd round in 2004. Had you talked to Twins' scouts much before then?

Eddie Morlan: The first time I talked to a Twins scout was a week before the draft, and it was a surprise for me to be drafted by the Twins.

SethSpeaks: If you weren't playing professional baseball, what would you be doing?

Eddie Morlan: I would be in college continuing my education.

SethSpeaks: Who were some of the coaches or people that have helped you get to this point in your career?

Eddie Morlan: The most important was my family, especially my father. Before high school, it was my little league coach Luis Rodriguez Delfin, and during high school, it was Ralph Garcia, my pitching coach.

SethSpeaks: How would you describe yourself as a pitcher? What are your strengths, and what areas would you say you most have to improve upon?

Eddie Morlan: I describe myself as a relaxed pitcher and aggressive attacking the strike zone. I try to improve every day.

SethSpeaks:  You have mainly been a starter in previous years, but you have also been a reliever. Which do you prefer?

Eddie Morlan: I definitely like the bullpen better, and I think that will be my future.

SethSpeaks: You are off to a very strong start for the Miracle this spring. How does your arm feel?

Eddie Morlan: I feel very strong, and I just have to keep working hard to stay strong.

SethSpeaks: What was the adjustment to pro baseball like for you?

Eddie Morlan: It was tough because in pro baseball you have to be ready to play every day.

SethSpeaks: What are some of your thoughts on the Twins organization?

Eddie Morlan: Let's just say I am proud to be a part of the Twins.

SethSpeaks: What are your thoughts on the 2007 Ft. Myers team?

Eddie Morlan: Although we have a young team, I feel we could go all the way.

SethSpeaks: What is the best part, so far, about a career in baseball?

Eddie Morlan: The best part of my career is that I am doing what I love the most, playing baseball.

SethSpeaks: What is the most difficult part of life in baseball?

Eddie Morlan: Being away from the people I love and my home.

SethSpeaks: Favorite baseball movie?

Eddie Morlan: My favorite baseball movies are Major League Part I, II and III.

SethSpeaks: What were your goals heading into the 2007 season?

Eddie Morlan: My main goals are to stay healthy, always improve and have a great year to help my team.

SethSpeaks: What do you think it will be like to put on a big league uniform in a regular season game for the first time?

Eddie Morlan: It would be a dream come true!

SethSpeaks: Is there anything else that you would like to share with Twins fans
around the country about yourself?

Eddie Morlan: If you want something in life, work hard for it and never give up!

Eddie, thank you so much for taking some of your time to answer these questions for me and the readers of this site. Obviously we hope you have had a terrific season and continued success. Best wishes for a strong 2007 campaign! As you read, Eddie mentioned that he thinks that the Miracle could 'go all the way.' I don't disagree, but I have to wonder if Morlan might not be in line for a mid-season promotion to New Britain. The season is young, and he is doing well, so let's not get too far ahead of ourselves.

 

Do you have any thoughts or questions for Eddie Morlan or me? If so, please feel free to e-mail me or leave a question or comment below.

 

If you would like to read any previous Q&A's, I have set up a new page that contains the links to all of them. Click here to see who all has done a Q&A with SethSpeaks.

 

Twins and their Minor League Updates

Here are the Twins updates from last night, including game reports of their minor league affiliates.
 

TWINS REPORT

Twins 9, Devil Rays 1

At'ta Boy Sidney!! That's how you go out and shut up us "experts!" We were all thinking that this was Ponson's swan song and that Scott Baker, Matt Garza or Kevin Slowey would be up to start against the Red Sox on Sunday. But Ponson pitched well. He gave up just one run on five hits and two walks. That is just one base runner per inning. That was a good start, and if I'm going to question his roster spot, then I have to give him credit for a job well done. Does this mean I think he is a good pitcher and will be in the starting rotation and on the roster the whole year? No, it only means that he pitched a very good game. When he gets crushed by the Red Sox Sunday, then we can get back to which AAA pitcher should come up again. For last night, he was just fine.

 

The offense was also there for him, jumping out to an early lead against Edwin Jackson. In his first game back from injury, Luis Castillo led off and went 3-6. Joe Mauer was also 3-6. Jason Tyner was the team's DH and he went 3-4 to increase his average to .346. Michael Cuddyer tripped and did some very acrobatic flipping and crawling and stuff rounding second base and was thrown out. He was taken out of the game due to a sore back. It was probably the funniest replay you'll see. Josh Rabe came in for him and he went 2-2, which is good because he has not had a lot of success so far this season either. The Twins had 17 hits and five walks, and the Rays contributed with two big errors.      

 

OTHER NOTES -

Tonight, it will be Boof Bonser who (we can say today) needs a Ponson-like start! I think well all know that the key for Boof is to throw strikes. He will give up some home runs but that can be ok if he does not walk people before then. He will face Jae Seo.

 

ROCHESTER REPORT
Tuesday - Red Wings 9, Columbus 4 – Is this the game that signals the breakout of Matt Moses? Maybe. The 3B went 2-4 with homers in his first two at bats, his first two homers of the year. Lew Ford hit a homer as well. Denard Span and Tommy Watkins (the #1 and #2 hitters in the Red Wings lineup) each went 3-5. Span had a double and a triple. Watkins had two doubles. Jeremy Cummings was the recipient of the run support and improved to 2-0. He went five innings and gave up three runs on five hits. He walked none and struck out three. Jason Miller gave up a run in three innings, and Carmen Cali pitched a perfect ninth. The great Tony Batista hit a homer for Columbus.

 
 NEW BRITAIN NEWS
 Tuesday - Rockcats 12, Binghamton 4 – Rashad Eldridge is the Rockcats 4th outfielder, but he is making the most of his playing time of late. In this game, he went 4-5. He had two doubles and a grand slam in the game. He drove in five runs. Brian Buscher continues to hit well. He went 4-5 as well with his 8th double and three RBI. Trevor Plouffe went 2-4 with his sixth double, two walks and two RBI. Felix Molina and Brock Peterson each went 2-5. Peterson hit his fourth double. Nick Blackburn gave up the four runs in six innings. However, just one of the runs was earned. He struck out five to improve to 1-0. Jay Sawatski had three strikeouts in 1.2 innings. Tim Lahey went 1.1 scoreless innings.

 
 FT MYERS MEMOS
Tuesday - Miracle 4, Clearwater 6 – The Miracle offense has really been struggling of late, so to score four runs in a game is quite impressive. It just wasn't enough for a win. Dwayne White went 2-4. Erik Lis hit his 10th double. Steve Tolleson was 1-3 with two walks. Jay Rainville had another good start. The righty went five innings and gave up a run on four hits. He walked none and struck out five. Angel Garcia gave up a run in his 1.2 innings. With a runner on second base and two outs in the 8th, the subject of our Q&A, Eddie Morlan came in and got the team out of the inning with a two run lead. Unfortunately, in the 9th inning, he gave up four runs on four hits and a walk for his first blown save of the year. Let's see, last month, this site was mention in Sports Illustrated. Could this be the SI/SethSpeaks Q&A Jinx? 
 

BELOIT BITS
Tuesday - Snappers 1, Ft. Wayne 9 – In a game with this final score, you would assume that the Snappers starting pitcher did not do well. That is certainly not the case. Alex Burnett did take the loss, but he did well. In seven innings, he gave up just two runs on six hits and a walk. He struck out five. Danny Hernandez came in and walked the batter he faced. Jesus Carnevale came in for his first appearance for the Snappers. He got two outs... but he gave up four runs on two hits and two walks. The 22 year old lefty came up from extended spring and the team released Adam Revelette. Danny Vais gave up two runs (1 earned) in the final 1.1 innings. Mark Robinson was also released yesterday. He was replaced by SS Steve Singleton who inexplicably was kept in extended spring despite dominating the Appalachian League last summer. He got a pinch hit at bat and not surprisingly, he got a hit. It was one of just six hits for the Snappers. Danny Santiesteban had a triple to drive in the lone run. 

Tuesday SethSpeaks Player of the Day – Rashad Eldridge, New Britain Rockcats
Tuesday SethSpeaks Player of the Day – Jay Sawatski, New Britain Rockcats

 

Do you have any further thoughts on any Twins prospects, minor leaguers, or these summaries? E-mail me, or also feel free to leave comments below.

 

That is it for today. By the way, if you have any ideas for the site, people to try to get Q&As from, article concepts or more, please leave some Comments or send me an e-mail. I would appreciate your help. Have a terrific day!

 

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