Akeel Morris

Akeel Morris

Morris with the New York Mets
Atlanta Braves – No. 66
Pitcher
Born: (1992-11-14) November 14, 1992
Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 17, 2015, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
(through 2016 season)
Win–loss record 0–0
Earned run average 67.50
Strikeouts 0
Teams

Akeel J. Morris (born November 14, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Early life

Akeel Morris was born in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands to Kenneth, a crane operator from Saint Kitts, and Corlette, an insurance agent from Antigua. As a child, before focusing on pitching, his favorite baseball player was Derek Jeter; afterwards it was Josh Beckett.[1]

Morris attended Charlotte Amalie High School. In December 2009, he pitched a perfect game, striking out all 15 batters he faced.[2] Morris' parents paid for their son to travel to the Dominican Republic to audition for the New York Mets.[1]

Professional career

New York Mets

Morris was drafted by the New York Mets in the 10th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft.[3] He made his professional debut that season for the Gulf Coast League Mets. He appeared in eight games with six starts, going 1–1 with a 2.19 ERA and 28 strikeouts over  24 2⁄3 innings. Morris played 2011 and 2012 with the Kingsport Mets.[4] He played 2013 with the Brooklyn Cyclones.[5][6] After splitting time between starting and relieving his first four seasons, Morris became a full-time reliever for the Savannah Sand Gnats in 2014. In a game against the Augusta GreenJackets in April, Morris struck out four batters in one inning.[7][8] He finished the season with a 0.63 ERA in 57 innings over 41 appearances with 89 strikeouts and 16 saves.[9]

Morris began the 2015 season with the St. Lucie Mets of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League, and was promoted to the major leagues on June 15.[10] He made his debut on June 18 against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre in the eighth and allowed five runs on three hits and three walks in 2/3 of an inning. The Blue Jays beat the Mets 8-0.[11] On June 17, 2015 Morris was sent to the Binghamton Mets to make room for Logan Verrett.[12]

Morris finished the 2015 season with an ERA of 67.50 in one game, 2/3 of an inning pitched with a WHIP of 9.000 while giving up 3 hits, 5 runs, 1 home run, and 3 walks. With Binghamton, he finished 1-0, 2.45 ERA in 23 games in 29.1 innings pitched with a WHIP of 1.091 while giving up 17 hits, 8 runs, 1 home run and 15 walks while striking out 35 batters.

Atlanta Braves

On June 8, 2016, the Mets traded Morris to the Atlanta Braves for Kelly Johnson.[13] He was assigned to AA Mississippi on the same day. On August 12, Morris was recalled by the Braves.[14] The next day, Morris was optioned down to AA Mississippi.[15]

References

  1. 1 2 Rubin, Adam (March 15, 2011). "Virgin Islands' Morris opens eyes". ESPN.com. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  2. ↑ "CAHS' Morris throws a very perfect game against rival Kean". highbeam.com. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Mets stock up on experienced Draft picks". New York Mets. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  4. ↑ AARON GRAY (Daily News Staff). "V.I.'s Morris puts 'K' in Kingsport". virginislandsdailynews.com. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Mets prospect Akeel Morris is having a ball in Brooklyn". Newsday. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Farm Report: V.I. product Morris dealing". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  7. ↑ Daily News Staff). "Morris Ks four in one inning". virginislandsdailynews.com. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  8. ↑ "New York Mets prospect Akeel Morris strikes out nine out of 11 batters faced for Class A Savannah Sand Gnats - MiLB.com News - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  9. ↑ MATT SCHOCH. "V.I.'s Morris lauded by Mets after strong year". virginislandsdailynews.com. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  10. ↑ "New York Mets promote Virgin Islands native Akeel Morris". ESPN.com. June 15, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Mets blanked by Blue Jays, 8-0, despite strong start by Niese". SNY. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Mets demote Morris, call up Verrett from Triple-A". SNY. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  13. ↑ O'Brien, David (June 8, 2016). "Braves trade Kelly Johnson to the Mets for pitching prospect". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  14. ↑ Bowman, Mark (August 12, 2016). "Braves promote Hursh, Morris to bolster bullpen". MLB.com. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  15. ↑ Bowman, Mark (August 13, 2016). "Withrow could be on verge of joining bullpen". MLB.com. Retrieved August 13, 2016.

External links

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