Former Cutter Morgan Looks to Keep the Ball Rolling
BY MIKE MASTOVICH - The Tribune-Democrat-Johnstown

January 28 -  As grand entrances go, it’s tough to beat Nyjer Morgan’s debut month with the Pittsburgh Pirates last season.

After his Sept. 1 recall, Morgan singled in his first at-bat, had hits in his first three major league games and made a “Willie Mays” style spectacular catch in center field that’s since became a regular on highlight clips.

In 28 games in the majors Morgan batted .299 with a homer and seven RBIs.

Such production has put Morgan, 27, in a heated competition with Nate McLouth for the Pirates starting job in center field this season.

“I’m going into this year trying to build off of last year. (But) last year is over with,” Morgan said during a Thursday stop by the Pirates Winter Caravan at Johnstown Middle School. “I’m just trying to come into spring training and battle for a position. It’s definitely not locked. Nate McLouth is going to be battling for that position too. He’s a heck of a player.”

Morgan is accustomed to battling for his job. He was a 33rd-round selection in the 2002 First-Year Player Draft. The San Francisco, Calif., native worked his way up through the minors, with stops in the short-season New York-Penn League – where he won a title playing for the Crosscutters  – Hickory, Lynchburg, Altoona and Indianapolis.

“Competition has been in my repertoire the whole time I was coming up through the Pirates organization,” said Morgan, who reached base in 22 of 25 games as the Pirates center fielder last season and ended on an 11-game hitting streak. “I wasn’t a high pick. I wasn’t that highly touted prospect. I had to work for what I got. The competition, I’m looking forward to that.”

Morgan participated in the Arizona Fall League and batted .258 with the league-champion team from Phoenix.

The desert and baseball diamond provide a glaring contrast from the sport Morgan played after he and his family moved to Canada when he was 16.

Morgan played four years of hockey and advanced as high as the major junior level, where he appeared in seven games and had two goals for the Regina (Sask.) Pats. He played on a Regina team with former Johnstown Chiefs forward Grant Jacobsen in 1999-00.

“I used to play ice hockey in the Western Hockey League with the Regina Pats,” Morgan said. “I’m from California originally, not the greatest hotbed for hockey. It was one of those talents that people have, and I picked up. I took it in stride and ran with it. When I first moved to Canada at the age of 16, I was a defenseman but I was too fast and I was always rushing the puck like Bobby Orr so they moved me up.

“I could’ve went pro, but I had a baby girl when I was 20. I had to figure if I should go to school or pursue my career in hockey. I had to pursue my education.”

Morgan knows it won’t be easy for the Pirates to end a string of 15 consecutive losing seasons. He’s heard all the dire predictions. But he feels there is reason for optimism.

“Everybody says we’re a young team but I think we’re experienced,” Morgan said. “We have guys who have been in the big leagues for three or four years now. I’m learning the game and I’m going to pick the brains of the veterans like Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez.”

 Powered by