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Akeel Morris

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Akeel Morris
Morris with the New Britain Bees in 2019
Pitcher
Born: (1992-11-14) November 14, 1992 (age 31)
Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 17, 2015, for the New York Mets
Last MLB appearance
June 26, 2018, for the Los Angeles Angels
MLB statistics
Win–loss record0–0
Earned run average6.14
Strikeouts16
Teams

Akeel Jamael Morris (born November 14, 1992) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He was drafted by the New York Mets in the 10th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut for the Mets in 2015. He also played in MLB for the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels.

Early life

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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. Before he began to focus 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 try out for the New York Mets.[1]

Professional career

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New York Mets

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Morris with the 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, and was 4–1 with one save and a 1.00 ERA in 45.0 innings, and was fifth in the league with 12.0 strikeouts per 9 innings, and 10th with 5.8 hits per 9 innings.[5][6]

After splitting time between starting and relieving his first four seasons, Morris became a full-time reliever for the Savannah Sand Gnats of the South Atlantic League 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 4-1--leading the league with 16 saves, a 0.63 ERA, 3.0 hits per 9 innings, 14.1 strikeouts per 9 innings, and a 0.719 WHIP—in 57 innings with 89 strikeouts over 41 appearances.[9][10] He was named an SAL mid-season and post-season All Star, a 2014 MiLB Organization All Star, and a 2014 Baseball America Low Class A All Star.[11]

Morris began the 2015 season with the St. Lucie Mets of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League (FSL), for whom he was 0–1 with a 1.69 ERA in 32.0 innings, and was a mid-season FSL All Star.[11] He was promoted to the major leagues on June 15.[12] 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; it was his one MLB appearance for the season.[13] To make room for Logan Verrett, Morris was sent to the Binghamton Mets, for whom he was 0–1 with a 2.45 ERA in 29.1 innings.[14] Between the two minor league teams, he allowed 4.1 hits per 9 innings, and struck out 11.9 batters per 9 innings.[15] He was named a 2015 MiLB Organization All Star.[11]

Atlanta Braves

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On June 8, 2016, the Mets traded Morris to the Atlanta Braves for Kelly Johnson.[16] He was assigned to the Double–A Mississippi Braves on the same day. On August 12, Morris was recalled by the Braves.[17] The next day, Morris was optioned down to Mississippi.[18] On July 6, 2017, Morris was promoted to the Braves major league roster.[19] With the Braves, he was 1–0 with a 1.23 ERA in 7.1 innings.[15] His fastball topped out at 95 miles per hour, and his best pitch was a fading change-up.[20] Morris was designated for assignment on March 31, 2018.[21]

Los Angeles Angels

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On April 3, 2018, Morris was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later.[22] The Angels called up Morris four days later and he pitched in the game that day.[23] He made nine appearances for the Angels, logging a 5.79 ERA with seven strikeouts across 14 innings of work. On August 15, Morris was designated for assignment by Los Angeles.[24] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Salt Lake Bees on August 18.[25] Morris made 40 appearances for Salt Lake on the year, struggling to a 7.04 ERA with 45 strikeouts and 5 saves across 46 innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 2.[26]

High Point Rockers

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On April 1, 2019, Morris was drafted by the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball at the 2019 ALPB Player Showcase.[27]

New Britain Bees

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On July 8, 2019, Morris was traded to the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. On July 12, he was traded to the New Britain Bees in order to complete an earlier trade, without appearing in a game for the Blue Crabs.

Long Island Ducks

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On November 6, 2019, Morris was selected by the Long Island Ducks in the New Britain Bees dispersal draft. Morris did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the ALPB season because of the COVID-19 pandemic and became a free agent after the year. On May 17, 2021, Morris re-signed with the Ducks for the 2021 season.[28] In three starts, he threw 14 scoreless innings and struck out 17 batters.

San Francisco Giants

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On June 11, 2021, Morris's contract was purchased by the San Francisco Giants organization and he was assigned to the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels.[29] He elected free agency on November 7, 2021.

Long Island Ducks (second stint)

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On March 31, 2022, Morris again signed with the Long Island Ducks.[30] He became a free agent following the season.

Mumbai Cobras

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On October 23, 2023, Morris was selected in the fourth round by the Mumbai Cobras, with the 31st overall pick, of the 2023 Baseball United inaugural draft.

International career

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Morris was selected to represent Great Britain at the 2023 World Baseball Classic qualifiers.[31]

References

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  1. ^ a b Rubin, Adam (March 15, 2011). "Virgin Islands' Morris opens eyes". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  2. ^ "CAHS' Morris throws a very perfect game against rival Kean". highbeam.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  3. ^ "Mets stock up on experienced Draft picks". New York Mets. Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  4. ^ AARON GRAY (Daily News Staff). "V.I.'s Morris puts 'K' in Kingsport". virginislandsdailynews.com. Archived from the original on October 16, 2014. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  5. ^ "Mets prospect Akeel Morris is having a ball in Brooklyn". Newsday. August 25, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  6. ^ "Farm Report: V.I. product Morris dealing". ESPN.com. August 28, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  7. ^ Daily News Staff). "Morris Ks four in one inning". virginislandsdailynews.com. Archived from the original on October 16, 2014. 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. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  9. ^ "2014 South Atlantic League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com.
  10. ^ MATT SCHOCH. "V.I.'s Morris lauded by Mets after strong year". virginislandsdailynews.com. Archived from the original on October 16, 2014. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  11. ^ a b c "Akeel Morris Stats, Fantasy & News". MiLB.com.
  12. ^ "New York Mets promote Virgin Islands native Akeel Morris". ESPN.com. June 15, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  13. ^ "Mets blanked by Blue Jays, 8-0, despite strong start by Niese". SNY. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  14. ^ "Mets demote Morris, call up Verrett from Triple-A". SNY. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  15. ^ a b "Akeel Morris Minor, Fall, Winter & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  16. ^ O'Brien, David (June 8, 2016). "Braves trade Kelly Johnson to the Mets for pitching prospect". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  17. ^ Bowman, Mark (August 12, 2016). "Braves promote Hursh, Morris to bolster bullpen". MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 13, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  18. ^ Bowman, Mark (August 13, 2016). "Withrow could be on verge of joining bullpen". MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  19. ^ Bowman, Mark (July 6, 2017). "Freeman back at first base -- for a day". MLB.com. Retrieved July 7, 2017.[dead link]
  20. ^ MLB Rookie Profile: Akeel Morris, RHP, Atlanta Braves - Minor League Ball
  21. ^ Bowman, Mark (April 1, 2018). "Suzuki to avoid DL after HBP on right hand". MLB.com. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  22. ^ Kelly, Matt (April 3, 2018). "Angels acquire RHP Morris from Braves". MLB.com. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  23. ^ "Angels' Akeel Morris: Joins big-league club". CBSSports.com. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  24. ^ "Angels Designate Akeel Morris For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. August 15, 2018. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  25. ^ "Minor MLB Transactions: 8/18/18". mlbtraderumors.com. August 18, 2018. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  26. ^ Eddy, Matt (November 6, 2018). "Minor League Free Agents 2018". Baseball America. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  27. ^ "11 Players Drafted at Atlantic League Player Showcase". atlanticleague.com. April 1, 2019. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  28. ^ "THREE PLAYERS JOIN FLOCK WHILE ONE DEPARTS; SPRING TRAINING BEGINS". Long Island Ducks. May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  29. ^ "AKEEL MORRIS' CONTRACT PURCHASED BY GIANTS". June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  30. ^ "THREE-YEAR MLB VETERAN AKEEL MORRIS REJOINS DUCKS". Long Island Ducks. March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  31. ^ "Great Britain baseball men's team announces roster for 2022 World Baseball Classic qualifier". British Baseball Federation. September 15, 2022. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
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