Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

The University of Nevada has sent 20 players to the Majors to date, with Lyle Overbay the most productive big leaguer. There’s been just one first-rounder in school history, right-hander Braden Shipley, taken by the D-backs in 2013. Morris isn’t likely to challenge Shipley’s standing as highest-drafted member of the Wolf Pack, but after spending two years pitching mostly in relief, Morris is in top-five-round conversations. He had brief but solid performances over the summer in the Team USA trials and the Cape Cod League, then showed off solid stuff in the rotation this spring.

Lean and slender, Morris has decent now stuff and, with the ability to add some strength, could throw harder in the future. He’ll run his fastball up to 95-96 mph, sitting around 93, and it can feature hop with decent finish up in the zone. There is a lack of deception, however, and it can be flat, leading to it being hit this year. His breaking stuff can be inconsistent, with some scouts wanting him to focus on his mid-80s slider, which flashes average depth and width. He has a 12-to-6 type of curve with decent shape, but the mid-70s offering doesn’t have enough power for it to be really effective. His changeup might be his best pitch, sold with good arm speed.

With a quick and easy arm, Morris has a delivery he repeats well, which makes for consistent strike-throwing. His results have been spotty as his stuff has been inconsistent, but there is some upside here given his raw stuff and athleticism on the mound.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40

Morris pitched primarily out of the Nevada bullpen during his first two seasons on campus, and after brief turns as a starter during the Cape Cod League and Team USA trials, he joined the Wolf Pack rotation as a junior in 2023, posting a 5.42 ERA with 85 strikeouts over 81 1/3 innings. Ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 142 Draft prospect, he joined the Mets in the third round and signed for slot at $666,500. He opened his first full season at Single-A St. Lucie and pushed his way to High-A Brooklyn by late May, then was sent to the A’s in the deal for Paul Blackburn.

The 6-foot-3 hurler can run his pair of fastballs up to 95-96 mph but will generally be in the 91-94 range. His sinker, with 17-18 inches of arm-side run, has been the better pitch of the two heaters, but he’s continued to develop his four-seamer as well. Similarly, he’ll throw three different slider varieties -- hard slider, cutter, sweeper -- with the first on that list the most reliable of the bunch at this stage. His mid-70s curveball remains a work in progress, particularly when it comes to finding a consistent arm slot, and while he didn’t throw his 85-89 mph changeup much in the Florida State League this season, the offering was arguably his best in college, as he sold it well with good arm speed.

Morris shows athleticism on the mound, and his history of throwing strikes has carried into the lower levels of pro ball. His pitch mix is diverse enough to give him starting upside, but he could use a tick or two more of sharpness to become the No. 4 or 5 in a Major League rotation.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40

The University of Nevada has sent 20 players to the Majors to date, with Lyle Overbay the most productive big leaguer. There’s been just one first-rounder in school history, right-hander Braden Shipley, taken by the D-backs in 2013. Morris didn’t challenge Shipley’s standing as highest-drafted member of the Wolf Pack, but after spending two years pitching mostly in relief, Morris became a third-round pick of the Mets in July. He had brief but solid performances over the summer in the Team USA trials and the Cape Cod League, then showed off solid stuff in the rotation this spring helping him earn a $666,500 bonus.

Lean and slender, Morris has decent now stuff and with the ability to add some strength could throw harder in the future. He’ll run his fastball up to 95-96 mph, sitting around 93, and it can feature hop with decent finish up in the zone. There is a lack of deception, however, and it can be flat, leading to it being hit this year. His breaking stuff can be inconsistent, with some scouts wanting him to focus on his mid-80s slider, which flashes average depth and width. He has a 12-to-6 type of curve with decent shape, but the mid-70s offering doesn’t have enough power for it to be really effective. His changeup might be his best pitch, sold with good arm speed.

With a quick and easy arm, Morris has a delivery he repeats well, which makes for consistent strike-throwing. His results have been spotty as his stuff has been inconsistent, but there is some upside here given his raw stuff and athleticism on the mound.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/11/2024	RHP Kade Morris assigned to Las Vegas Aviators from Lansing Lugnuts.
	07/31/2024	Lansing Lugnuts activated RHP Kade Morris.
	07/30/2024	Oakland Athletics traded RHP Paul Blackburn to New York Mets for RHP Kade Morris.
	07/30/2024	RHP Kade Morris assigned to Lansing Lugnuts.
	05/20/2024	RHP Kade Morris assigned to Brooklyn Cyclones from St. Lucie Mets.
	03/31/2024	RHP Kade Morris assigned to St. Lucie Mets from FCL Mets.
	09/08/2023	RHP Kade Morris assigned to FCL Mets from St. Lucie Mets.
	09/06/2023	RHP Kade Morris assigned to St. Lucie Mets from FCL Mets.
	08/17/2023	RHP Kade Morris assigned to FCL Mets from Mets Organization.
	08/10/2023	RHP Kade Morris assigned to Mets Organization.
	07/15/2023	New York Mets signed RHP Kade Morris.
	06/15/2023	RHP Kade Morris assigned to College Workout.
	07/02/2022	USAB Stripes Team activated RHP Kade Morris.
	07/01/2022	RHP Kade Morris and assigned to College Workout.