Bucs promote Bryan Morris

Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com

Bryan Morris’ sensational season start has earned the right-hander a promotion to Double-A. The Pirates made the announcement late Sunday afternoon.

Morris, who Pittsburgh acquired in the 2008 Jason Bay trade, had been dominant in eight starts with low-A Bradenton (Fla.). He hadn’t allowed an earned run in any of his past five outings (30 innings) and had given up just three in 44 2/3 innings all year. Morris struck out 40 and walked just seven.

His 0.60 ERA was best among all Minor League starters at any level.

This is all a 180-degree turnaround from where Morris, 23, was a year ago. He spent all of 2009 at the high-A level and struggled through a 4-9 season in which he posted a 5.57 ERA. The year was low-lighted by a 12-day suspension for unprofessional conduct.

Now, though, Morris has put his name back in the mix along with the organization’s best pitching prospects. And Double-A Altoona might not be his final stop this season.

Speaking on his weekly radio show earlier on Sunday, general manager Neal Huntington left the door open for Morris to pitch his way into the Triple-A rotation before year’s end. 

“If he can sustain what he’s doing, he might be able to jump another level by August,” Huntington said. “He’s really made great strides.”

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