Michael Morse Stats & Scouting Report

AB	2569
AVG	.274
OBP	.331
SLG	.457
HR	105

Full name Michael John Morse
Born 03/22/1982 in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 245 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Nova
Debut 05/31/2005
Drafted in the 3rd round (82nd overall) by the Chicago White Sox in 2000 (signed for $365,000).

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The third player in the Freddy Garcia trade with the White Sox, Morse drilled 17 homers in 95 games last year after hitting 18 in his first four seasons combined. That breakthrough would be cause for more excitement if Morse had much of a chance to stay at shortstop and hadn't been suspended twice in 2004. Chicago suspended him shortly before the trade and Seattle suspended him again for the final three weeks of the season, reportedly for the use of over-the-counter banned substances. Morse has plenty of power, though his aggressiveness and lack of strike-zone discipline make it unlikely he'll ever hit for much of an average. He also has a strong arm and his hands are OK, but his lack of first-step quickness and range will limit his defensive options at the major league level. Third base and first base might be his only possibilities, and newcomers Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson are imposing roadblocks there. Morse likely will get more exposure at new positions in Triple-A this season.
Morse teamed with Ruddy Yan to give Carolina League champion Winston-Salem a dynamic double-play combination. Morse provided uncommon power for a middle infielder, while Yan led the league in steals. Morse has made a station-to-station climb through the system since being drafted in the third round in 2000. His pop is his strong suit, but he needs to make more contact and take more walks. At 6-foot-4, Morse is taller than most shortstops and there's some worry that he might outgrow the position. But he has a solid arm and still covers enough ground. He was steadier defensively last year after spending some time at third base in 2002. A return trip to high Class A might make some sense, giving Morse a chance to build on success.

Minor League Top Prospects

Morse hadn't delivered much on his power potential in his first four years in the White Sox organization, but he broke out with 17 homers in 2004--one shy of his previous career total. He was so good, in fact, that he got traded to the Mariners in a midseason deal for Freddy Garcia to Chicago. At 6-foot-4, Morse doesn't look like the ideal shortstop, but surprisingly most managers and scouts said they'd leave him there, at least for now. "It comes from seeing him on an everyday basis," Shines said. "You'd move him to third base if you saw him once. But his feet looked good at shortstop and he has enough arm, and he finally believes he can play the position." Morse's offense should be good enough if he does have to move to third. He has legitimate juice in his bat and is learning the finer points of hitting, though he still needs better patience and pitch recognition.

Career Transactions

1B Michael Morse elected free agency.
San Francisco Giants transferred 1B Michael Morse from the 10-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list. Concussion.
San Francisco Giants placed 1B Michael Morse on the 10-day disabled list. Concussion.
San Francisco Giants placed LF Michael Morse on the 7-day disabled list. concussion
San Francisco Giants recalled LF Michael Morse from Sacramento River Cats.
LF Michael Morse assigned to Sacramento River Cats from San Jose Giants.
LF Michael Morse assigned to San Jose Giants from Sacramento River Cats.
Sacramento River Cats placed LF Michael Morse on the 7-day disabled list.
LF Michael Morse assigned to Sacramento River Cats.
San Francisco Giants signed free agent LF Michael Morse to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
Pittsburgh Pirates released 1B Michael Morse.
Pittsburgh Pirates designated 1B Michael Morse for assignment.
Pittsburgh Pirates activated 1B Michael Morse.
Los Angeles Dodgers traded 1B Michael Morse and cash to Pittsburgh Pirates for RF Jose Tabata.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated 1B Michael Morse for assignment.
Miami Marlins traded RHP Mat Latos, Michael Morse and cash to Los Angeles Dodgers for RHP Victor Araujo, RHP Jeff Brigham and RHP Kevin Guzman.
Miami Marlins activated 1B Michael Morse from the 15-day disabled list.
Miami Marlins sent 1B Michael Morse on a rehab assignment to Jupiter Hammerheads.
Miami Marlins sent 1B Michael Morse on a rehab assignment to New Orleans Zephyrs.
Miami Marlins sent 1B Michael Morse on a rehab assignment to Jacksonville Suns.
Miami Marlins placed 1B Michael Morse on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 24, 2015. right ring finger sprain
Miami Marlins signed free agent 1B Michael Morse.
LF Michael Morse elected free agency.
San Francisco Giants activated LF Michael Morse.
San Francisco Giants reassigned LF Michael Morse to the minor leagues.
San Francisco Giants signed free agent LF Michael Morse.
Baltimore Orioles traded LF Xavier Avery to Seattle Mariners for LF Michael Morse.
Michael Morse roster status changed by Seattle Mariners.
Seattle Mariners sent LF Michael Morse on a rehab assignment to Tacoma Rainiers.
Seattle Mariners placed LF Michael Morse on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 21, 2013. Strained right quad muscle.
Washington Nationals Traded LF Michael Morse to Seattle Mariners; Seattle Mariners Traded C John Jaso to Oakland Athletics and Oakland Athletics Traded RHP A.J. Cole and RHP Blake Treinen to Washington Nationals.
Michael Morse roster status changed by Washington Nationals.
sent LF Michael Morse on a rehab assignment to Potomac Nationals.
Harrisburg Senators sent LF Michael Morse on a rehab assignment to Hagerstown Suns.
Michael Morse assigned to Harrisburg Senators.
Washington Nationals placed LF Michael Morse on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26, 2012. strained right lat
Washington Nationals activated 1B Michael Morse from the 15-day disabled list.
sent 1B Michael Morse on a rehab assignment to Syracuse Chiefs.
Washington Nationals placed 1B Michael Morse on the 15-day disabled list. left calf strain
Washington Nationals selected the contract of 1B Michael Morse from Syracuse Chiefs.
Michael Morse roster status changed by Syracuse Chiefs.
Tacoma Rainiers traded 2B Michael Morse to Syracuse Chiefs for OF Ryan Langerhans.