When the Tampa Bay Rays drafted former LSU Tigers star with the No.88 overall pick, in many ways he was the forgotten man from a 2023 Tigers squad that captured its first College World Series since 2009.
With pitcher Paul Skenes going No.1 overall to the Pirates and outfielder Dylan Crews going No.2 overall to the Washington Nationals, Morgan fell between the cracks a bit. But that’s not to say his impact wasn’t felt throughout the Tigers season and run to the CWS title.
In fact, Morgan was unbelievable in that title run, he batted .316 with nine homers and 53 RBI. He also tallied four triples and 15 doubles while scoring 66 runs.
Point blank Morgan was a huge piece of the Tigers run. He’s carried that type of production into the minor leagues, and this year he was named Rays minor-league player of the year.
Former LSU/Brother Martin baseball standout Tre’Morgan was named Minor League Player of the Year in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. pic.twitter.com/AZpAtEHB1u
Morgan spent the 2024 season in three different places, Class-A Charleston, High-A Bowling Green and Double-A Montgomery. In all the former third-round pick posted a solid .324 average and .891 OPS. He also went yard 10 times, stole 20 bases and walked as many times as he struck out (48 times). That was good enough to catapult him to the award, and he says it’s all about the work he put in for the season.
“Obviously, we have the No.1 farm system in baseball. So to get this award, it’s an honor. It’s a testament to the work I put in in the offseason. It paid off.”
Morgan is correct, the fruits of his labor has shown in a major way, and it’s very likely to get him to the majors much sooner than his anticipated 2026 arrival.
Because of his stellar play Morgan’s steady rise up the minor league ladder was something team brass couldn’t stop. At each stop he improved forcing them to move him up. While it’s not unheard of, it is very rare to see a player climb the ladder so rapidly. Rays assistant GM Kevin Ibach spoke on Morgan’s ascension.
“I always say when Tre comes in the box, it’s must-watch TV, no matter where I am. I want to see him compete. Of course I’m biased, but I think he’s one of the best competitors in the box in all of minor league baseball.”
Morgan and teammate Chandler Simpson who stole 104 bases are the future for the Rays and they’re aiming to crash the MLB scenes.
The art of base stealing was perfected by legendary Hall of Famers Rickey Henderson, Lou Brock and Tim Raines, among others.
But over the last 30-plus seasons not many players have been able to reach the 100-steal plateau in the minors or major leagues. In fact, no player has done such since Vince Coleman did it with 109 base thefts in 1987.
While the feat has been reached more in the minors since then it still hasn’t happened often.
Heading into the 2024 minor league season only two players had done so since 2005, with Billy Hamilton tallying 103 steals in 2011 and an astounding 155 in 2012.
He was joined by Delino DeShields who stole 101 in 2012 as well.
Chandler Simpson Swipes 100 Bags
Last week Tampa Bay Rays prospect Chandler Simpson etched his name on the history books becoming the first minor leaguer to steal 100 bases in 12 seasons.
For two seasons Simpson came close to reaching the 100 steal mark. First in 2022 he nabbed 81 steals, and in 2023 he had 94 steals which tied him with good friend and St. Louis Cardinals prospect Victor Scott II. Simpson admitted that he was okay with sharing the mark with Scott last season, but he also let it be known that he was striving for even more this season.
That’s exactly what he’s done with his unique skillset, and even more impressive is he’s done it against Double-A competition. He told reporters this after setting the mark.
“Just knowing what situation to run in and just patience. Knowing that I don’t have to go on the very first pitch and I can wait a pitch or wait a couple of pitches or find a count that is going to be a breaking ball count and then take a bag then. And then using different ways to giving the pitcher different looks; short lead, long lead, vault jump, regular jump. Just having a toolbox and just knowing that I can trust myself with anything that I can use over there at first or at second.”
Stealing bases is an art and Simpson seems to have mastered it. That ability alone will etch out a place for him on any club. He’ll fit seamlessly with the Rays who’s (174) stolen bases as a team ranks fourth in all of MLB.
That’s what Simpson aiming for now, doing it in the majors.
Simpson’s trademark speed and quickness is what’s talked about most as it pertains to him. And with good reason, he’s accrued 30 multi-steal games and eight others with at least steals. He even reached four steals in a game late August, but that’s just the beginning of who he is as a player.
Simpson’s also got a great bat, he leads the minors with 156 hits and a .356 batting average. His .412 on-base percentage ranks 15th, proving that he’s a total package as a a player minus the huge power numbers.
He currently projects as the Rays leadoff hitter of the near future with an expected MLB arrival in 2025.
Milwaukee Brewers prospect Braylon Payne (No.17 Overall 2024) is a pain to deal with on the base paths. He’s been tearing it up at the plate and on the diamond for the Brewers Class A Carolina Mudcats, including a four-hit, four-stolen base game.
Cleveland Guardians 1B Josh Naylor has 100 RBI and he’s been a far superior hitter at home then on the road. With 13 of the Guardians’ last 18 games at home, Naylor and his squad is looking to roll into the playoffs as AL Central Division champs.
Daz Cameron talks to MLBbro.com reporter Malik Wright about growing up the son of a big leaguer, working out the offseason in Atlanta and his time with Oakland A’s.
The Minnesota Twins are in a very tight American League Wild Card race, and it is more important than ever that all their players are performing. One player that they need to get back into form is MLBbro Royce Lewis.
His offensive production for most of the season has helped to get the team competitive. On the season, the third baseman/designated hitter has batted .258 with 15 home runs. However, in the past two weeks he is batting under .200 with zero bro bombs.
Byron Buxton’s Injury Streak Continues: Royce Lewis Falling Behind In Counts
While the Twins are currently uncertain about the status of MLBbro center fielder Byron Buxton, they must rely on who is available. Royce Lewis is a key part of the team and integral to the potency of the heart of their lineup in Minnesota.
While he has struggled with injuries himself this season when available he has delivered until recently. A major reason he has struggled recently is due to falling behind at the plate. On the season Lewis is .306 when ahead in the count, and a measly .158 when behind. Working the count and being more selective with his swings will help him return to form.
The Twins currently have a three-game lead for the last wild card spot, but nothing is promised at this part of the season. They have lost eight of their last ten games and trending in the wrong direction.
Someone must step up for the team and Royce is a good candidate.
He has all the tools to help right the ship, and the team will desperately need him to return to form. He’s been known to carry a team for weeks. Not only to secure the wild card spot, but also to actually compete if they make it to the postseason. The team has a three-game home stand against the Toronto Blue Jays before two consecutive road series. The MLBbro bats 100 points higher at home so there is no better time to regain his confidence than now.
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