Philadelphia Phillies: Five Areas Where They Need Improvement
By Chuck Booth
When Charlie Morton went down for the season, the Philadelphia Phillies called up Adam Morgan to take his spot in the rotation.
Six starts later it’s safe to say that the Adam Morgan experiment has failed. Morgan was tagged with the loss on Friday in Chicago with a final line of four innings pitched and six earned runs were given up including three homers allowed.
On the season, Morgan is allowing opposing hitters to bat .293 against him showing that he isn’t fooling anyone. Morgan was promoted so the Phillies wouldn’t rush prospects like Mark Appel (who is now hurt) but tossing him out there every fifth day is sinking the Philadelphia Phillies’ playoff hopes with every pitch.
Morgan has a 1-3 record and an unsightly 6.67 ERA on a pitching staff with a 3.83 combined ERA. It’s not even close between morgan and the next highest ERA on the staff which is Jerad Eickhoff with a 4.07 ERA. A pitcher from AAA has to be able to do a better job in the rotation than Adam Morgan.
Going by stats, Zach Eflin would be the next man up for the Philadelphia Phillies. Eflin has been rolling in AAA and has compiled a 5-1 record thanks to a 2.81 ERA. He has exhibited amazing control (eight walks in 57.2 innings pitched) and has kept a solid ground ball rate. Unlike most young pitchers, Eflin is a pitcher and not a thrower, showing a developed approach that could help him contribute to the big league club and stick in the rotation.
Next: Get J.P. Crawford on the team!