What I remember from watching him pitch was that he didn’t really seem to struggle with his poise and command too much. He seemed still under control on the mound out there, and didn’t look like he freaked out under the pressure.

I’m still convinced that it’d be better for him to spend time in the minors to get prepped for the rotation. But he does seem to me to be ready to handle major league hitters.

Learning to be effective without going 100% on every pitch is not easy to do. Learning how and when to turn it up to 100% takes time.

No, I didn’t learn this in pro ball, but I did learn it as a starting pitcher at the Division I and summer league level. I’ve competed against a lot of minor league and division I hitters, and I can tell you that seasoning makes all the difference. Experience trumps talent over the long haul, every time. Seasoning allows you to mentally engage every situation.

Development is real.

As to Morrow, count me as firmly against going to the big-league club. I’d hate to see that mentality start ruling baseball, that college is some sort of equivalent. It’s not. Same game, but played with different equipment and under completely different circumstances. Is it worth it starting his clock early? Aren’t relievers a dime a dozen?

As to ‘too quick promotions’, who read what Churchill had over on Prospect Insider, buried in the Jeff Clement as #2 prospect article? This little tidbit, equally applicable to pitchers as to position players:

“It’s irresponsible to do what they (Mariners) did last year,” said a rival front office member. “They rushed their shortstop (Asdrubal Cabrera) before trading him, they rushed both catchers (Johnson, Clement) and they pushed Tui (Matt Tuiassosopo) far too quickly. They should know better, and I bet they do.

“It really seems like they promoted those kids to make something that wasn’t there naturally. You can’t create value in your prospects that way, it’s going to catch up to them at some point, and they went o-fer with all of them. It’s not only counterproductive, it’s inexcusable and probably cost themselves and their players career time, or possible a career at all.

“Clement probably was effected the most, since he had the most to lose. I’m telling you, if he’s handled properly, he’s still a big-time prospect and I’m really excited for his future.”

We had a discussion on the topic. If you don’t like the way that I pointed out the inaccuracies in your beliefs, sorry.

BTW, Soriano is not the only ex-Mariner making an impression on the Atlanta Braves. Looks like TJ Bohn has a shot at making the team as a 4th or 5th outfielder. Anyone up for a guess as to how many players on last year’s 40-man roster will end up on the 25 man roster of another club?

Bohn has no hope of making the Braves roster. He was sent down already to Triple A Richmond. They sent him down over the weekend.