Jose

Morban

Morban is a Rule 5 pick. Hitting for the first time above Single-A, he grounded into a forceout in his only at-bat.

Morban, who spent 2003 on Baltimore’s roster after being selected in the Rule 5 draft, hit .235/.303/.325 in 56 games for Single-A Frederick and .210/.279/.374 in 67 games for Double-A Bowie last season. He’s not a prospect.

Morban was pinch-hitting for Geronimo Gil. He’ll continue to be used mostly as a pinch-runner.

Chris Gomez is going to beat out Morban for a roster spot. The Twins plan to offer a middle-level prospect to the Rangers in exchange for the right to keep Morban and send him to the minors.

Morban, who spent 2003 on Baltimore’s roster after being selected in the Rule 5 draft, hit .255/.315/.410 with 16 steals between the Indians’ Double- and Triple-A teams last season. He can be the new Ramon Santiago for the Mariners.

Morban is a long-shot to make the team.

Morban was a Rangers prospect before being plucked in the Dec. 2002 Rule 5 draft and spending 2003 in the majors with the Orioles. He’s been drifting around ever since, and he hit .244/.352/.385 in 78 at-bats with the Mariners’ Triple-A club last season. He’ll battle for a spot on Triple-A Oklahoma’s roster.

If Morban clears waivers, he’ll be offered back to the Rangers. The Twins would like to trade for him, but they’re not going to give up a top prospect to get a deal done.

The Orioles are offically giving up on the season. Well, maybe not. Morban, a Rule 5 pick from Texas, will be used mostly as a pinch-runner. We don’t think that much of him as a prospect, but it’s nice to see the Orioles showing some kind of commitment to the future.