Honestly, at this point, I could just post Akeel Morris‘ stat-line in Brooklyn and it would speak for itself. Let’s get that out the way so you can be amazed, okay? In eight appearances for Brooklyn this season, he has pitched 25.0 innings and allowed no earned runs. He has given up 12 hits and 12 walks while striking out 31. Opposing hitters are batting just .146 against him so far and he’s been absolutely untouchable so far in his weird relief role.

Why do I say it’s a weird relief role? Well, if you did the math above, Morris has appeared in just eight games but tossed 25 innings, averaging out to a little over 3 innings per appearance. He’s getting an extended look in each of his chances to pitch, which is making me rather confused about how the organization views him. He was moved to the ‘pen late last year in Kingsport and settled in there nicely, but they’re really working him in Brooklyn to this point.

I do believe his future is in the bullpen going ahead, but perhaps they’re trying to stretch out his work so he doesn’t lose his ability to pitch multiple innings. A bullpen guy with his kind of live stuff and the ability to work as a pseudo-long reliever could seriously be a worthwhile player down the line.

For those of you who don’t know much of Akeel, he was a 10th round pick in the 2010 draft out of the Virgin Islands. He’s always excelled at keeping the ball in the ball-park (0.8 HR/9) and striking batters out (11.0 K/9) throughout his career, but he always walked too many batters to stick it out as a starter and it drove up his pitch count. He’s made strides to correct mechanical issues he originally had when drafted, however, and if you were to ask me if Morris could settle down to be a dominant bullpen arm with his blazing fastball, I’d give you a resounding yes.