The last time I rode the Jack Rabbit at Kennywood, I felt a sense of anxiousness and excitement as I went up the hills, and then I questioned why I torture myself when I go down the slopes.
Watching pitcher Charlie Morton’s seven-year career as a Pittsburgh Pirate has been a very similar experience for Bucs fans.
And the experience is about to return, since it is probable that Morton will come off the disabled list (hip) and rejoin the rotation early next week, likely sending Vance Worley to the bullpen.
Let the ride begin. Please remain behind the yellow line while the passengers in front get out, and when you sit make sure your seat belt is securely fastened.
Now for the $8 million question that will decide what kind of ride this will be: will they get the solid 2013 Morton, when he went 7-4 with a 3.26 ERA in 20 starts? The bad 2009-2012 Morton, when he was 19-37, sporting a 4.87 ERA in 73 appearances? Or maybe the up and down Morton we saw in 2014, where he went 6-12 with a 3.72 ERA in 26 starts, before being shut down in September for hip surgery?
It’s a valid question, as the aforementioned numbers show Morton’s career in Pittsburgh since joining via trade from the Atlanta Braves in 2009 likens to a ride on the Jack Rabbit– one full of ups and downs.
So far in 2015, the right-hander is coming off a worrisome Spring Training. He allowed 23 hits, gave up 10 walks and was charged with 16 earned runs in 17 innings resulting in an 8.47 ERA.
Yikes.
But before everyone thinks Morton’s career is about to go down a hill the size of the Jack Rabbit’s double dip, consider the reports that said the hip injury Morton suffered last year messed with his mechanics during the year, and then spent Spring Training to get back on track.
OK, maybe hearing a pitcher’s mechanics being off isn’t encouraging in itself. But it does give optimism that the pitcher we saw in Spring Training isn’t going to be the one we see during the season – assuming of course that he does get them worked out.
We can look to Edinson Volquez last season as proof that a player can have a great season despite a nightmare of a Spring Training. He too was still figuring his mechanics out in Spring Training, and after doing so was arguably the best pitcher on staff last year.
Morton’s three rehab starts are encouraging, as he has only given up three runs in 20.1 innings in one game for AA Altoona and two games for AAA Indianapolis.
Sitting at 18-22 and in fourth place in the National League Central, the Pirates are steadily losing ground to the St. Louis Cardinals in the division, nine games back to be exact. The Bucs cannot afford bad Charlie Morton, or else it will be that much harder for there to be a third straight Buctober.
The Pirates should not be afraid to pull the plug on Morton if he struggles, especially with two intriguing pitchers in AAA knocking on the door for a call-up.
After a strong 2014 season, Adrian Sampson has been lights out in Indianapolis this year with a 3-3 record and 2.61 ERA in eight starts. The other interesting option is Clayton Richard, who many are hailing as the Pirates next reclamation project, has had past success in the big leagues.
But despite needing to be on short leash, the Pirates have to be counting on Morton due both depleting pitching depth and the uncertainty of the guys behind him.
Brandon Cumpton has already been shut down due to Tommy John Surgery, and there are worries Nick Kingham may be out for a time after elbow discomfort caused him to be pulled from his last start a week ago. Prized prospect Jameson Taillon likely won’t be ready for the majors until August at the earliest while he rehabs from TJ Surgery. And as intriguing as Sampson and Richard are, there are still questions on if they can produce right away at the major league level.
So enjoy the ride Pirate fans, and hopefully the pictures taken of us during the ride are all smiles and not of us screaming and covering our eyes in fear.
