Morrow Makes Case for 25 Man Roster

First Round Pick Impresses Again

Morrow Makes Case for 25 Man Roster

Brandon Morrow plays catch during a workout at spring training in Peoria.

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Story Published: Apr 3, 2008 at 6:42 PM PDT

Story Updated: Apr 3, 2008 at 6:42 PM PDT

By Tom Hutyler

Well, nobody is saying for certain, but from a conversation I had Monday with GM Bill Bavasi, and comments he made during our Mariner broadcast on KOMO 1000 News, first-round draft choice Brandon Morrow is a pretty good bet to make the 25-man roster that opens the season in Seattle April 2nd.

Bill told me that he thinks, despite the fact that they ultimately see him as a starter, that Morrow fill the "power arm" role they've been seeking to fill in the bullpen. With a fastball that clocked as high as 98 the other night, and averaged about 96, I guess that would qualify as a "power arm".

Morrow is a very quiet, very polite young man from Santa Rosa, who played at this time last year with the Cal Bears. He threw today in relief of Jarrod Washburn, coming in with a runner at third and two out in the top of the fifth. He retired fellow former Cal player Connor Jackson on a foul pop, then worked an uneventful sixth, walking one and striking out two. He just flat out looks good...

Early night tonight as we head to Tucson tomorrow for three games. Different groups of players will go down there on different days, and not to many of them seem to relish the trip. Having never been to Tucson, I'm excited to check it out...

Like Shannon Drayer and just about everybody else who has spoken to Jose Guillen this camp, I was pleasantly surprised about how talkative, almost humble he seems, despite the past baggage he's had with other clubs.

And he says rest assured, come April 2nd, he'll be ready to put that big right arm of his on display if need be....He hit a long homer in today's 8-5 win over the D-Backs. Jarrod Washburn looked good thru 4 2/3 innings, and Raul Ibanez had two more hits....the split squad game wasn't as rosy, as the Mariners were clubbed by the Cubs, 16-4.

Lefty Ryan Feierabend was knocked around to the tune of 8 earned runs on 9 hits in just two innings...we had a media draw for the NCAA Sweet 16 today...I got stuck with the 13th pick and chose Tennessee...I'm not holding my breath...a wide variety of clothing was hanging from the wire in the clubhouse ceiling that has become a daily hodgepodge of shoes, shirts, shorts and even golf clubs. If you get something hung up there, it's NOT a compliment to your fashion sense!

We're Tucson-bound early tomorrow, so that's all for now!

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