The man on the mound and the boy from Northern Florida are the same. Well, not exactly the same. The man on the mound is a creation of the 6-year-old boy, Christian Morris, a Yankees fan.
Morris has had the vision since he was six, 15 years ago. But his vision was just a vision. As time wore on, his vision became the far-fetched dream most kids have of playing for their favorite team.
But then, his vision became a possibility. The Yankees drafted him in the 33rd round of the Major League Baseball Draft June 10.
A few nights ago, the Yankees called him after one of his games in the Cape Cod League with an offer. A contract offer putting him closer to his childhood dream of becoming the man on the mound.
Tuesday, Morris flew to Tampa Bay, Florida, where he accepted the Yankees’ offer, foregoing his final season of collegiate eligibility at IU.
The Yankees’ offer, which Morris said helps him and his family financially and includes the Yankees paying for him to get his degree, made his decision that much easier.
“To say it was a dream come true would be an understatement,” Morris said.
Morris playing in the Cape Cod League this summer was a little strange in itself. The league is primarily filled with next year’s draft prospects.
But playing in the Cape Cod was another dream of Morris’, an experience he said he needed.
“It gave me a chance to get the feel back and get confidence in myself,” Morris said. “It gives me a lot of confidence in myself and all my pitches because I played some very, very high competition out there.”
Morris struggled in his junior season as a Hoosier. His record of 4-1 seems impressive, but his 5.55 ERA told a different story. This was supposed to be the season Morris became a star, the season he was supposed to lead to Hoosier pitching staff.
But inconsistencies plagued the right-hander. He gave up 37 earned runs after only allowing 32 in his first two seasons. But Morris’ skills hadn’t diminished. He walked less batters and struck out batters at a higher rate.
The person who helped Morris realize he was going to be fine despite his recent struggles? His father, Patrick, the man who had helped Morris through troubles in the past.
Throughout Morris’ baseball career and his life, his father has always been the steady hand.
“I’ve never seen my dad get negative or say it wasn’t going to work out,” Morris said. “It was a tough year for him to think like that, but he never showed that. It just speaks volumes of how good of a person and father he is.”
When Morris injured his arm in high school and needed Tommy John surgery, his father was there. When the scholarship offers and pro scouts disappeared after the injury, his father was there. When Morris was struggling during his freshman year at IU and was unsure of his future as a Hoosier, his father was there to keep him calm.
Patrick Morris led Christian to the point where he could go pro, so it makes sense he was Morris’ prime factor in his decision and why his father will remain Morris’ guiding force throughout his baseball career and life.
“He’s been so influential in my baseball career and will continue to be forever,” ?Morris said.
Morris is still unsure of where he will go within the Yankees organization. He said he thinks he’ll end up with their short season team this year or maybe with an advanced rookie ball team.
He hasn’t talked about roles yet with the Yankees, but he does know one thing. As of Tuesday, Morris is one step closer to becoming the man on the mound.
