KISSIMMEE, Fla.Manager Bobby Cox normally uses this game to get a reading on some of the Braves' top pitching prospects. The 24-year-old Morton will be followed to the mound by Zach Schreiber, Jorge Campillo and Francisley Bueno.
Phil Stockman was originally scheduled to pitch as well, but minor shoulder problems pushed back his spring debut.
Morton, a third-round pick in 2002, got off to a sluggish start in the minors, going 1-7 in the Gulf Coast League in 2002. He continued to struggle over the next four seasons, giving him little hope of ever making it to the big leagues.
But something clicked at Double-A Mississippi last season, and he was even more impressive in the Arizona Fall League. With Cox on hand to check out the youngsters, the 6-foot-5, 218-pound Morton went 4-1 with a 2.57 ERA.
The Grapefruit League officially gets started tomorrow, when the Braves travel to Vero Beach to face the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tim Hudson will start in that one.
Thursday
May 1st, 2025
9:08AM
