Title: Celebrating Charlie Morton's Signing with the Orioles: A Survivor Parable
In a nutshell, who among the 2002 MLB draftees is still tearing it up in the major leagues? You've got it right - it's none other than Pirate's third-round selection, Charlie Morton. This fact carries some personal significance for me, seeing as my scouting venture kicked off in 2003, covering the state of Connecticut, Morton's hometown.
As the years rolled by, Morton's climb through the minor league ladder wasn't exactly meteoric. Things looked uncertain in the majors, too. My go-to pitcher evaluation system, based on K/9 and K/BB ratios, never flagged Morton as a can't-miss prospect. However, here we are, almost at the brink of the 2024 season, and Morton has sealed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Orioles for his 41st season. Mind-boggling, isn't it?
Some might consider Morton an outlier, but I think that's an understatement. Major league starting pitchers of late have started trending towards the older side, with strict innings limits in the minors. By the 2024 season, there wasn't a single ERA-qualifier younger than 25 years old. Pirates' Paul Skenes and White Sox' Garrett Crochet were among the youngest, but neither managed to meet the 162-inning milestone that year.
Yet, Morton managed to stand out, being MLB's oldest ERA-qualifier by a staggering four years. Kyle Gibson followed closely behind at 36.
Morton first qualified for the ERA title as a Pirate, finishing the 2011 season with a 10-10 record and a 3.83 ERA. While these stats weren't eye-catching, his natural ability and determination shone through time and time again.
After four relatively unremarkable seasons with the Pirates, Morton was shipped off to the Phillies in 2016. A hamstring surgery later, Morton's career looked uncertain. But fate had other plans, as Houston Astros came knocking, offering Morton a second chance.
The Astros honed Morton's mechanics, focusing on his curveball and altering his pitch selection. The results were nothing short of remarkable. Morton transformed into an elite strikeout pitcher, recording double-digit swing-and-miss rates. His stint with the Astros culminated in a World Series win in 2017 and Cy Young and MVP votes in 2019 with the Rays.
Morton's performance began to wane a bit in 2024, but he maintained a league-average level of command, four-seamer velocity, and bat-missing ability. The Orioles recognized this, and saw an opportunity to land a durable and experienced starter with some upside.
Taking a closer look, Morton is far from an ordinary pitcher. His combination of durability and consistency ranks him among the top pitchers in the majors. He's improved his strikeout prowess and had a significant impact in high-stakes situations, without a doubt.
Morton's adaptability and strategic judgment are what sets him apart. He's continuously evolving and adapting to new challenges, and has made critical decisions to balance his career and family. His resilience, even during inconsistent seasons, has been on full display.
Charlie Morton's journey from underrated prospect to major league powerhouse has been nothing short of inspiring, proving that dedication, adaptability, and strategic choices can make all the difference in defining a career.
In his 41st major league season, Charlie Morton signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles, continuing his impressive career. Despite not being a standout prospect in the eyes of traditional evaluation methods during his early years, Morton has successfully adapted and thrived in the MLB. After being traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Morton significantly improved his pitching skills with the Houston Astros, earning Cy Young and MVP votes in 2019 with the Tampa Bay Rays.
