The Nyjer Morgan Situation in a Nutshell

If somebody can gain Nyjer Morgan's confidence, convince him that he needs to cut down on his strikeouts, make contact, and keep the ball on the ground, he can "run" .300 in Pittsburgh.

To contribute to the Pirates in 2008, he has to score 100 runs and steal 50 bases.

And he should do it playing LF with McCutchen in CF. (Bay should be traded for prospects.) I have seen the Pirates' team (Phoenix Desert Dogs) play six Arizona Fall League games in the last month. McCutchen is ready. The Pirates might as well start his clock in 2008.

As most of you are probably aware, John Russell has been managing the Peoria Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League, at least until he was named the new Pirate manager. So he is very familiar with what Morgan, McCutchen, Delaney and the relief pitchers still in Arizona can do.

Let's see what he thinks.

Will he be a player who hits better inthe bigs than in the minors?  I've read that he lost patience and started swinging at bad pitches.  He'll see better pitches in the majors.  I like McClouth in left with Cutch in center.  

He is going to be a nice player, possibly not an IMPACT player. He is a good CF now and will get better. His arm is decent. He needs to make contact and cut down on his Ks. He is a line drive hitter who will also "run" .300 if he cuts down on his Ks. I don't expect him to hit for much power, and that is why he needs to concentrate on making contact. If he does, he can also steal 50 bases. McCutchen and Morgan would add a great deal of excitement to the Pirates' offense... if they put the ball in play.

then I sure hope the new regime finds somebody better at teaching the Morgans and McCutcheons how to "make contact and hit the ball on the ground" than Tracy's crew was at trying to teach Duffy the same skills.

BTW, Walker made a list at THT the other day of minor leaguers who most improved their walk rates. I might rather have a guy on my team who ALREADY knows how to take a pitch than to have to teach that at the MLB level, cause I'm not sure it can be done with most prospects. (And by "prospects," I don't mean Morgan).

To be able to teach, a player has to be coachable. Remember, Morgan got a very late start with his baseball career and he played in the Pacific Northwest. He was a hockey player first. Some Pirate scout obviously fell in love with his speed, because that is his single MAJOR asset.

I still think that, even at 27, IF he is coachable, there are possibilities with Morgan.

Morgan is Chris Duffy with less power. He has some value, but if he's a starter then we are short on talent again