Mariners' Morrow May Start Again

Two years ago, Brandon Morrow became the highest draft pick ever to come out of the Cal baseball program when he was selected fifth overall by the Seattle Mariners in the MLB Amateur Draft.

A hard-throwing right-handed starter in college, Morrow made the big league club as a reliever in his first full season as a pro. And when Mariners closer J.J. Putz went down with an injury in early June of this year, Morrow stepped into the closing role and converted his first eight save opportunities, lowering his ERA at one point to a microscopic 0.63.

Putz is back now, but rather than being relegated to his role of setup-man, the former Bear is already moving on to new challenges, returning to Triple-A Tacoma for a short stint designed to stretch out his pitch count and remake him into a big-league starter.

We caught up with him last Monday on his way to the Rainiers' Cheney Stadium.

Daily Californian: First of all, the Mariners have been struggling this year, but at the same time you've really been having your breakout season. What do you attribute that to?

Brandon Morrow: I think just second year in the big leagues, comfort level. Really, I think just being accustomed to the game. It's different for sure playing in front of so many people, and you just kinda have to learn to deal with the pressure and the atmosphere.

DC: A lot of the time you'll see that when a pitcher breaks into the big leagues he'll get out to a quick start, then cool off as hitters around the league get to know him. You've gone the opposite direction. Do you think you're just starting to show people what you're capable of?

BM: Definitely in the bullpen I think I've had a good run, but I got optioned to Triple-A today, and I'm actually just on my way to the stadium right now to become a starter. I'm going to be stretching out, increasing my pitch count so that I can start games when I get back (to the Mariners) at the beginning of September.

DC: Is that something that you've really wanted to do?

BM: Yeah, definitely. I started in college, they drafted me as a starter. I think having a good starting rotation is more important than having a good bullpen. A good bullpen's important, but if you don't pitch well for the first five to seven innings, you're not going to win the game.

DC: It's interesting that you say that. (Cal head coach David) Esquer sometimes stays away from making certain pitchers into starters because he says that if you keep a guy in the bullpen he can give you a chance to win two or three games in a weekend instead of just one. Did you not subscribe to that?

BM: I mean, I think a good bullpen is important. But I think that, especially in professional baseball, you can find good relievers a lot easier than you can find good starters.

DC: Speaking of Cal baseball, the Bears had six players taken in this year's Draft. But anytime you talk about high draft picks from Cal, you talk about Brandon Morrow at fifth overall. Does that distinction put any pressure on you or do you just take pride in it?

BM: I take pride in it. It never really put any pressure on me before, but I think that since I've already kind of established myself in the big leagues there's no pressure to put on myself in that aspect.

DC: Do you still keep in touch with Cal?

BM: I was good friends with (former starter and recent Oakland Athletics draft pick Tyson Ross). I kept in touch with him a little bit. I actually talked to him the day of the Draft and the day that he was going into the Oakland Coliseum to sign his contract.

DC: When you talk to a guy like Tyson who has the stuff to make the ascension to the big leagues, what kind of advice do you give to him?

BM: For Tyson, just to take his time. They're going to move him along when he's ready, and he's going to be ready quickly. He's got good stuff and he throws strikes. Just relax and don't set deadlines for yourself, like I have to be in Double-A at this time and Triple-A at this time.

DC: How about for the switch in lifestyle from playing baseball and going to college to playing baseball as your job?

BM: They try to structure it pretty good, but it falls more on yourself. You have way more free time to yourself.

DC: Are there a lot of distractions?

BM: Not really. I just live on my own and once you find your routine, that helps get the distractions out of there.

DC: Where do you see yourself going in the upcoming months and years?

BM: I guess getting into the rotation and starting would be an ideal situation. Just get through my time (in Tacoma), figure it out, get my pitch count up and then get into the rotation when i get back.

DC: You, Felix Hernandez and Erik Bedard-that's not a bad 1-2-3 punch right there.

BM: Yeah, sounds good to me.

Tags: BRANDON MORROW