Off to a good start

Any position works well for Morgan

By Guy Cipriano

UNIVERSITY PARK — Kyle Morgan still envisions himself running toward baseballs before unveiling his strong left arm. His new position forces him to hold back.

CDT/Christopher Weddle

State College's Butch Biela takes a swing against Mahoning Valley on Monday, June 29, 2009 at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. CDT/Christopher Weddle

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Morgan, a corner outfielder last season, has moved to first base, where he spends the majority of his time snagging throws. “I like outfield more,” he said. “You get to show off your arm. But you’re definitely in a lot more action and a lot more plays at first base.”

Morgan, a 2008 38th-round draft pick from the University of San Francisco, moved to first base during last fall’s instructional league. The switch became permanent after a spring training discussion with Pittsburgh Pirates director of player development Kyle Stark.

“I’ll take whatever I can get,” said Morgan, who played right and left field last season. “If I can play outfield, if I can play first, if I can DH, I’ll do whatever I can to help the club.”

First base isn’t unfamiliar territory for Morgan. He played the position throughout high school and during his freshman year at Bakersfield (Calif.) Junior College. But playing first base as a professional brings new challenges, especially after three years as a corner outfielder.

Instead of focusing on routes and staying behind baseballs, Morgan concentrates on timing and keeping plays in front of his body. He said he’s trying to develop into a “wall” at first.

So far, the results are encouraging. Morgan saved a run during the first inning of Sunday’s 5-4 loss to Mahoning Valley by scooping a low throw from third baseman Matt Payne. Morgan, who entered Monday hitting .280 with a team-high four extra-base hits, has not committed an error through five starts at first base.

“Morgan has done a great job,” manager Gary Robinson said. “It has been a journey for him and he’s starting to feel comfortable. He still has balls that tie him up a little bit. You give him a little more time, and he will be fine.”

Morgan hasn’t worked in the outfield since the first day of spring training. The current roster includes seven outfielders, but Morgan said he’s available when an emergency arises.

“If an outfielder goes down, potentially I can go out there,” he said. “It’s just another weapon to have in your back pocket.”

Who’s on first?

The Spikes started last season with three third basemen: Matt Hague, Jeremy Farrell and Payne. The other corner appears crowded this season.

In addition to Morgan, the Spikes have Justin Byler and Aaron Baker at first base. Byler led the 2007 Spikes in homers and RBIs before suffering a major forearm injury during 2008 spring training. Baker, a burly 11th-round draft pick from Oklahoma added to the roster Sunday, belted 15 homers for the Sooners this season.

“We have three guys who can swing the bat,” Robinson said. “That’s a plus, not a minus.”

A sore neck has prevented Robinson from inserting Baker into the lineup. Baker participated in pregame drills Monday.

Moving in

Pat Irvine, this year’s 33rd-round pick from Elon University, has split time between the outfield and third base.

In fact, he appeared at both positions Sunday. Irvine, who played catcher and outfield at Elon, hasn’t played third base since high school.

“It’s going good,” he said. “I started working at third right when I got there. I’m starting to feel more comfortable over there and the coaches have helped me out a lot.”

Irvine’s initial work at third has impressed Robinson.

“We like what he’s doing over there,” Robinson said. “We haven’t done a whole lot of coaching. He got a crash course at minicamp and we just kind of left him alone on purpose. We wanted to look at his instincts and his feel for reading hitters and swings. For the most part, it has been pretty good.”

First start

Jason Erickson, a 24th-round pick from Washington, will make his first professional start in tonight’s series finale. Erickson hasn’t allowed a run or issued a walk in six professional relief innings. He started as a senior for the Huskies and went 5-4 with a 4.34 ERA this spring.

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