"High and tight," the pitcher Roger Salkeld told The Times of Morgan. "Or down and away. He's a great hitter and he's got quick hands. I don't want to give him anything good."
Salkeld and Morgan were something of rivals in high school that year. And the rivals would both go on to make the pros. But, while Salkeld would go on to be a first-round pick and make the majors, Morgan's stint as a pro would last just 15 games.
Morgan's brief professional career began in 1990, taken by the Phillies in the 39th round, out of the College of the Canyons. Morgan went to college out of Canyon High School in Santa Clarita, Ca.
Still in high school, Morgan showed what he could do in summer of 1987, in American Legion ball. In a four-game span, Morgan picked up 14 hits, The Times wrote.
"It's hard to explain," Morgan told The Times of his success. "It just feels like anything coming up to the plate--I'm going to hit it somewhere hard."
At the College of the Canyons, picked up two hits in one freshman game in February 1989. The next month, he helped start a Canyons rally with a three-run home run.
In 1990, a Morgan two-run home run helped Canyons to an 8-7 win. The next month, Morgan picked up an eight-game hitting streak. In one game later that month, he went 4 for 5. For the season in 1990, Morgan hit .446, swiping 24 bases.
Morgan then was drafted by the Phillies. After signing, he went to short-season Batavia. There, he got into just 15 games, hitting .182. In all, he got six hits in 33 at bats, stealing three bases. It was the extent of his professional career.
- Los Angeles Times, July 1, 1987: New Stance Lit the Fuse for Morgan
- Los Angeles Times, March 23, 1988: Color of Money Is Golden as Rivals Salkeld, Morgan Square Off
Players/Coaches Featured:1,185
Made the Majors: 679 - 57.3%
Never Made Majors: 506-42.7%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 292
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 174
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