The Chicago Cubs now have a 1-4 record. This follows last night’s loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was the second game of their four-game series. While the Cubs prepare to rebound in game three with Shota Imanaga on the mound. There has been a bright spot from the bullpen. Eli Morgan has picked up where he left off last year. The Cubs traded for Morgan early in the winter with the Guardians. The Cubs spent money and assets rebuilding the bullpen this year. While Ryan Pressly and Ryan Braiser were the big names brought in. Morgan may be one of the team’s best value pickups all off-season.
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Eli Morgan
The right-hand reliever spent the last four years with the Cleveland Guardians. Last season was his best yet as a pro. He pitched in 32 games, working 42 innings with a 1.93 ERA. Morgan had three wins and no losses on the season while recording a 3.64 FIP and a 0.976 WHIP last year. In those 42 innings, he struck out 34 batters and had a 7.3 K/9.
So far this early season, Morgan has only appeared in two games. One against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Tokyo series and last night against the Diamondbacks. He has pitched three innings, given up two hits, zero walks, and struck out four. He has a 1.93 ERA, 0.667 WHIP, and a 12.0 K/9.
Morgan has relied heavily on his change-up so far this year, using it 47.7 percent of the time. His other two pitches, a slider and a four-seamer, he uses roughly the same. The Slider is being used 25 percent of the time, while his four-seamer is used 27.3 percent so far.
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Summary
If Eli Morgan remains a reliable arm out of the bullpen during the middle innings, the Cubs’ bullpen will improve. His performance will boost the team greatly. Morgan has good stuff. If he’s around the strike zone, he’ll generate a lot of tipped ground balls. I know the season just began. However, he’s allowed a percent solid contact to start the year, according to Baseball Savant.
