Arizona Fall League Profile: Hunter Morris

Through the next week or so, we will be profiling the players from the Milwaukee Brewers taking the field as the Phoenix Desert Dogs in the 20th season of Major League Baseball’s Arizona Fall League.

Our first installment covers one of the best of the young Brewers – number seven prospect Hunter Morris.

Hunter Morris can make a big statement in Arizona this fall (Image from disciplesofuecker.com)

First baseman Hunter Morris was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010. In 2011, he passed through the ranks of the Brevard County Manatees and ended the year with a stint Huntsville Stars – the class-AA affiliate of Milwaukee where he spent the entire 2012 season.

He finished the year with a .303 average, 28 home runs, 113 RBI, a .920 OPS and plans to build a brand new trophy case. One that can hold his two Southern League Player of Week honors, Mid-and-Post-Season All-Star selections, SL MVP award, and Robin Yount Performance Award for Brewers Minor League Player of the Year.

A trip to Phoenix to participate in the Arizona Fall League was all but guaranteed after a season so noteworthy.

So what, exactly, is expected from Hunter Morris as a member of the Phoenix Desert Dogs? To put it bluntly: more of the same. Hunter is a prototypical first base prospect – capable of amazing power and bat speed, with seemingly endless potential at the plate. Brewers scouts and officials will no doubt be expecting plenty of big hits out of the 23 year-old.

He also has the chance to up his defensive abilities as well. While first base is not expected to be a pinnacle of defensive skills, Morris still has a few steps to make up with his glove. Spending extra time in the Arizona Fall League will likely give him more time to get used to defense with higher-caliber performers, a learning curve he will be expected to catch up with quickly.

While Corey Hart is currently the solution as first base and Mat Gamel‘s future with the club uncertain coming off of injury, now is the perfect time for Hunter Morris to prove to the team that he is the long-term solution to the position left by Prince Fielder (yes, believe it or not, people are still saying that). He’s still very young, and has limited time in the minors, but it’s obvious that the team has grand plans for the young man moving forward. The Arizona Fall League is only the first step, but it’s a big one.

If Hunter can keep blasting big hits, the sky really is the limit. Hunter Morris and the rest of the Brewers prospects will begin their Fall League schedule on October 4th. You can keep up with the latest news on them and the rest of the prospects here.

Tomorrow we will profile starting pitcher Kyle Heckathorn.