2. Adam Morgan
Morgan is the one player who has been with the Phillies for a few years. He started as a failed starting pitcher prospect turned long-reliever and has since transformed into a reliever who specializes in facing left-handed batters. He does not have options, so if the Phillies do not keep him on the Opening Day roster, they risk losing him altogether. Morgan had a 3.83 ERA with matching peripherals over the course of 2018, but it was much better outside of a horrible stretch in June, where both his ERA and peripherals were unplayable. Over the entire season, Morgan had a 4.31 DRA, but if you factor out the one month, he was dominant.
There’s evidence as to how Morgan all of a sudden could not miss bats in that one month. Morgan threw sliders a lot less during that time period. It doesn’t really matter what the purpose of the failed experiment was, but the issue was seemingly fixed so I would believe the 2nd half stats a lot more than June’s.
Morgan has quietly been one of the more effective LOOGYs in the game since his breakout in August of 2017. Since August 1st of that year, only 3 other left-handed relievers have matched his FIP against left-handed batters. Steamer projects Morgan to have an ERA just a shade over 4 in 55 innings pitched, but I could imagine a situation in which he outperforms those expectations.
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