A. J. Morris

A.J. Morris
A.J. Morris
	Pitcher
	Born: December 1, 1986 (age 37); Houston, Texas, U.S.
	Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
	May 24, 2016, for the Cincinnati Reds
Last appearance
	June 15, 2016, for the Cincinnati Reds
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	0–0
Earned run average	6.30
Strikeouts	9
Teams
	Cincinnati Reds (2016);

Anthony Joseph Morris (born December 1, 1986) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds in 2016.

Career

Morris attended Humble High School in Humble, Texas.^[1] Undrafted out of high school, Morris attended Kansas State University and played college baseball for the Kansas State Wildcats for three years (2007-2009). He was the 2009 Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the year.^[2]

Washington Nationals

Morris was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 4th round of the 2009 MLB draft.^[3]

Morris played in the Nationals organization in 2009 and 2010, appearing for the Gulf Coast Nationals, Hagerstown Suns, and Potomac Nationals.

Chicago Cubs

On January 17, 2011, the Washington Nationals traded Morris, Michael Burgess, and Graham Hicks to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Tom Gorzelanny.^[4] Morris missed the 2011 season due to an elbow injury that required surgery.^[5] In 2012 he played for the Daytona Cubs, and in 2013 he played for the Tennessee Smokies.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Morris was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the minor league portion of the 2013 Rule 5 draft.^[6] He split the 2014 season between the GCL Pirates, Bradenton Marauders, Altoona Curve, and Indianapolis Indians. He spent the 2015 season with Indianapolis.

Cincinnati Reds

On December 27, 2015, Morris signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization.^[7] On May 22, 2016, Morris was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.^[8] He made his MLB debut on May 24.^[9] In 7 appearances for the Reds, Morris struggled to a 6.30 ERA with 9 strikeouts across 10 innings pitched. On June 16, he was placed on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain. Upon being activated from the disabled list on August 31, Morris was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Louisville Bats.^[10] He elected free agency following the season on November 7.^[11]

Morris played for the Italy national baseball team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.^[12]

References

^ "Morris Earns First Career Major League Call-Up". Kansas State Wildcats. May 22, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
^ John Helsley (May 19, 2009). "Big 12 Baseball: Pitcher of the Year - A.J. Morris, Kansas State". The Oklahoman. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
^ "Morris Signs with Nationals". Kansas State Wildcats. June 7, 2009. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
^ Associated Press (January 19, 2011). "Nationals acquire Tom Gorzelanny". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
^ John Sickels (May 22, 2016). "MLB Rookie Report: A.J. Morris, RHP, Cincinnati Reds". SB Nation. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
^ Rob Biertempfel (December 12, 2013). "Pirates claim 3 pitchers in minor league Rule 5 draft". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
^ RotoWire Staff (January 8, 2016). "Reds' A.J. Morris: Signs minor league deal with Reds". CBSSports.com. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
^ "Reds Make Several Roster Moves". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
^ C. Trent Rosecrans (May 22, 2019). "Reds' A.J. Morris called up, joins old friend Jay Bruce". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
^ "Minor MLB Transactions: 9/1/16". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
^ "Minor League Free Agents 2016". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
^ "A.J. Morris' WBC Experience Adds to Lifetime of Baseball Memories". Kansas State Wildcats. March 27, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2019.

External links

Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)

[1] "Morris Earns First Career Major League Call-Up". Kansas State Wildcats. May 22, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2019.

[2] John Helsley (May 19, 2009). "Big 12 Baseball: Pitcher of the Year - A.J. Morris, Kansas State". The Oklahoman. Retrieved October 24, 2019.

[3] "Morris Signs with Nationals". Kansas State Wildcats. June 7, 2009. Retrieved October 24, 2019.

[4] Associated Press (January 19, 2011). "Nationals acquire Tom Gorzelanny". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 24, 2019.

[5] John Sickels (May 22, 2016). "MLB Rookie Report: A.J. Morris, RHP, Cincinnati Reds". SB Nation. Retrieved October 24, 2019.

[6] Rob Biertempfel (December 12, 2013). "Pirates claim 3 pitchers in minor league Rule 5 draft". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved October 24, 2019.

[7] RotoWire Staff (January 8, 2016). "Reds' A.J. Morris: Signs minor league deal with Reds". CBSSports.com. Retrieved October 24, 2019.

[8] "Reds Make Several Roster Moves". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 1, 2024.

[9] C. Trent Rosecrans (May 22, 2019). "Reds' A.J. Morris called up, joins old friend Jay Bruce". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved October 24, 2019.

[10] "Minor MLB Transactions: 9/1/16". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 1, 2024.

[11] "Minor League Free Agents 2016". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved August 1, 2024.

[12] "A.J. Morris' WBC Experience Adds to Lifetime of Baseball Memories". Kansas State Wildcats. March 27, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2019.

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