Eduardo

Morlan

Morlan had a 3.10 ERA and a 99/20 K/BB ratio this year in 69 2/3 innings, most of them coming in the FSL. The Twins could get more aggressive with him next year and perhaps give him his first taste of the majors come June or July. He could be one of their top relievers as soon as 2009.

Morlan, a full-time reliever for the first time, has a 2.34 ERA and a 48/6 K/BB ratio in 34 2/3 innings. He’s another Twins relief prospect with closer potential.

The change from the original deal is Morlan subbing in for Juan Rincon, due to Rincon’s unfavorable injury reports. We were pretty neutral on the deal before, but this swings it over to the Rays’ side. Healthy or not, Rincon wasn’t a great bet to be worth what he was due in arbitration. Morlan, on the other hand, is one of the top five or 10 relief prospects in baseball. The 21-year-old had a 3.10 ERA and a 99/20 K/BB ratio in 69 2/3 innings at Single-A Fort Myers and Double-A New Britain last season. Maybe the Twins would have been foolish to let this deal fall apart over a relief prospect, but if the Rays wanted Rincon in the first place, there should have been a better compromise available.

Morlan was a bit of a disappointment in his first year in the Tampa Bay system, but he still has a chance to be a nice setup man or perhaps a closer in the majors. He’s pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings in Puerto Rico, amassing an 8/1 K/BB ratio in the process.

Morlan was one of the game’s best relief prospects when he was included in the Matt Garza - Delmon Young trade, but he’s been plagued throughout his career by shoulder injuries. The former third-round pick hasn’t yet reached Triple-A. He’s been assigned to Double-A Mississippi by the Braves.

It was the first time since 2006 that Morlan has started a game. The Rule-5 pick is trying to make the Brewers as a middle reliever.

There were four pitchers available in the Rule 5 draft who all qualified as top prospects a year ago: Morlan, Donnie Veal, Chuck Lofgren and Alan Horne. Only the first two were selected. Morlan was one of the game’s best relief prospects when he was included in the Delmon Young trade, but his velocity slipped last season and he was limited to 30 appearances in Double-A. If his stuff bounces back, the Brewers could have themselves a long-term setup man or closer. However, the Rays obviously weren’t the only ones down on him.

Morlan’s chances of making the Brewers seemed to get a lot better with Eric Gagne’s injury, but he needs to show some consistency. He’s allowed five runs, eight hits and three walks in five innings this spring.

Unless another team picks him up off waivers, Morlan, a Rule 5 pick, will be offered back to the Rays. The 23-year-old had a 6.43 ERA in seven innings this spring.

Morlan cleared waivers after being designated for assignment by the Brewers earlier this week and the Rays paid the $25,000 to bring him back into the fold. He’ll begin the season at Triple-A Durham.