In the News
12/5/06.. addition.. Post
The Rockies plan to test hard-throwing right-hander Juan Morillo in the bullpen during spring training, and O'Dowd said it's possible that Morillo could join youngsters Manuel Corpas and Ramon Ramirez as Rockies relievers in 2007. "We will give him every opportunity to turn into our Joel Zumaya," O'Dowd said, referring to Detroit's rookie phenom. "He's a kid with the same kind of arm."
9/23/06.. addition.. MLB.com.. Hurdle talking about Morillo's first start in the big leagues..
I haven't seen much of him," manager Clint Hurdle said Saturday. "We're just hoping he can go out there and control his emotions and his adrenaline and throw strikes and give us a chance to win a ballgame -- show up good. He's got a top-shelf arm. A lot of guys have that. We just need to see how it plays out at this level."
7/16/06.. addition.. Post
Colorado Springs pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez puts everything in perspective. In his first start for the Sky Sox after pitching most of the season in Tulsa, Jimenez consistently threw his fastball in the 95 mph range. Asked about his former teammate Juan Morillo in Tulsa, Jimenez said Morillo usually throws about 2 mph faster, or consistently at 97, 98 mph.
Asked whether he would like to stand in the batter's box and hit off Morillo, Jimenez had a hitter's answer.
"No way," Jimenez said.
6/25/06.. scouting report from OhNoKoolAid
P Juan Morillo- I thought the emphasis on patience practiced in Midland would hurt Morillo, but his command looked much improved from the first time I saw him this season. It's hard to tell if his fastball moves because I could hardly pick it up through the black net. His fastball and the Midland starter's fastball were like night and day, and few hitters could get around to pulling the ball on Juan. Produced tons of weak liners, soft grounders and high pop ups. Only three balls put in play appeared to get hit squarely. Fastball was outstanding, but slider came and went. I liked that he pitched more for contact and went after hitters, because even a 99 mph-er down the middle is rarely struck well. Very promising start. He still has needs work, but he's a legit top ten organizational talent, and should reach the bigs and contribute in some fashion.
6/5/06.. addition.. Rocky.. thumbnail sketch
Delivery and rhythm on the mound are much better, along with command, after abandoning big swing with front leg. Slider is a plus pitch at 86 to 90 mph, and changeup is much improved. No longer just a hard thrower with erratic command but more of a pitcher, far more efficient with a repeatable delivery.
5/08/06.. Purps 30 .. Purple Row.com
7. Juan Morillo - RHP
Juan's slipping in the ranks more out of relative stasis than anything else. He still has the easy 100mph fastball, he still has the ability to K twelve batters a start in the minors when he's on. He still has it, he just hasn't improved it at all for the last two years. The challenge to develop a set-up pitch is going very slowly and if it doesn't happen soon, look for the Rockies to begin to convert Juan to a late inning pitcher. Like Jimenez he could be much more than what we're currently seeing, losing them could be a haunting mistake.
