PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Hunter Morris

By PATRICK EBERT

Hunter Morris is the second player in a row that I had the pleasure of speaking with that has played for the vaunted East Cobb Baseball program, based out of Marietta, Ga. Similar to his former East Cobb teammate Josh Smoker, Morris has attended the biggest and best showcases and tournament events across the nation, including the Aflac All-American Classic, the East Coast Professional Showcase and the Perfect Game National Showcase last summer in Fayetteville, Ark. He also made the final roster for the 2006 Team USA junior national team and their silver-medal performance in Cuba .

Morris has carried that success into this spring, and has been hitting the ball extremely well lately. Through April 15, he had raised his batting average to .481 and had hit 12 home runs. His 50 walks were only four away from former Oakland A’s first-rounder Jeremy Brown’s single-season record of 54 in the state of Alabama , a mark that likely will fall before this story is posted.

The blend of power and patience is certainly drawing the attention of scouts, as Morris draws a crowd of 20-40 scouts, crosscheckers and scouting directors on a regular basis.

I recently spoke to Hunter about his experiences, his strengths and his passion for the game of baseball.

Patrick Ebert (PE): Was there a definitive point in your life that turned you towards baseball?

Hunter Morris (HM): No, I’ve pretty much played baseball my entire life. I picked up a ball when I was little and I’ve never been able to put it down.

PE: How much of your life have you devoted to baseball?

HM: I’ve spent a countless number of hours either practicing or playing baseball. I like to hunt, fish, and hang out with my friends as much as I can, but there is nothing I would rather do than play baseball. It just feels natural to be on the field.

PE: Alabama seems to be loaded with some very talented players this year. How much attention have you been receiving, and does it make it more difficult to focus on baseball, schoolwork and life in general?

HM: This has been a great year for the entire state of Alabama as far as talented players go. I have received a lot of attention but that is not something that I try to pay attention to. I get done what I have to in the classroom, and on the field I just try to always play my game because that is what has gotten me to where I am now. The scouts have been really good to let me play without disruption and my coach, Adam Moseley, has been really good to set up (batting practice) before the games and that has worked out great. I have enjoyed meeting so many people over the last year and they have taught me a lot.

PE: Have you had to do anything differently this year, and spring in particular, to help you focus on your schoolwork as you prepare for your high school graduation?

HM: No, my teachers and the administration have been great this whole year as far as my work load in the classroom, and they all worked with me when I missed five out of the first nine weeks while I was playing in the Aflac game and in Cuba with Team USA . Along with dealing with the process of the draft and keeping ahead of school work, I am trying to help my team to a state championship and that is where most of my focus is right now.

PE: What aspects led to your decision to commit to Auburn ?

HM: The coaching staff at Auburn is the best I have ever been around and I really feel like I can go and improve as a player and a person in their program. I also felt that I could be a part of something really special down there with all of the talented players that I will be playing with. The facilities at Auburn are second to none. I can’t think of a better place to play. I also think it is kind of cool that the East Cobb Field where I have played for four years is modeled after the Auburn Field. It’s like being at home.

PE: Should you pursue your college career, is there an area you are interesting in studying?

HM: As of right now I’m interested in pursuing a degree in finance. That gives me enough options that I don’t narrow my job options down too soon. Whatever I do I want to be associated with baseball in some way for a very long time.

PE: Do you get a feel for the teams that are paying closer attention to you than others?

HM: There are some teams that seem more interested than others, but it’s been a great experience to be able to meet and play in front of all of those guys day in and day out.

PE: Have you received advice from anyone in particular that has been especially helpful for you over the past year?

HM: I have gotten great advice from so many people this year. My parents, scouts, coaches, advisor and others have helped me understand the process I am going through. A couple of other sources for advice have come from a couple of coaches that have had a big impact. Guerry Baldwin at East Cobb has given me a ton of advice over the past couple of years and has had a big impact on how I approach the next levels of the game. The other is the addition of a new assistant coach at our high school. Our hitting coach, Roberto Vaz, is a former SEC All-American and pro player who has given me a lot of advice on how to approach the game as well as the process of getting to the next level.

PE: What do you consider your strengths to be?

HM: My approach to the game, whether it be hitting or defense, is probably my strongest point mostly because it always allows me to learn and improve on every aspect of the game. My goal is to get better every single day and make improvements on things that I have learned or struggled with in the past.

PE: What are your weaknesses, and what are you doing specifically to improve in those areas?

HM: I’m never as good as I want to be, because no matter what, I always want to be better. I train and work at every aspect of my game everyday because there is always something that can be improved on, whether it is physical or mental.

PE: How beneficial is it playing with and against the best players in the nation at the numerous high profile events you have participated in?

HM: The most beneficial thing that I got from those events was the competition. If you want to get better you have to play with guys that are going to push you and make you better, and that is exactly what I’ve had the opportunity to do and it’s been a huge blessing. When I was nine, Tony Rasmus told me to start playing travel ball. We had no idea what that was because it did not exist in North Alabama. My dad did some investigating and put together one team, and then another, and we kept playing at higher and higher levels around the Southeast. The decision to dedicate the last four summers to playing for East Cobb Baseball was the best decision we ever made. Earl Newalu was the coach that recruited me to East Cobb, and after the first day I knew where I would be spending my summers. Living away from home for four summers was a great learning experience and has made a big difference in where I am today.

PE: What is the biggest thing you took from participating in the Aflac All-American Classic?

HM: The biggest thing I got from the Aflac All-American game was just the opportunity to be surrounded by the best players in the country and being able to spend time with some of my really good friends as well as build friendships that I will have in this game for a long time. All in all, it was a great event and was run very well. It was pretty nice when they let us go to the children’s hospital and spend the day with the kids there.

PE: Who is the toughest pitcher you have ever faced?

HM: I’d probably have to say that the toughest lefty I have faced would be Kasey Kiker and the toughest righty would probably be Blake Beaven. They were both tough but I’m always up for a challenge.

PE: Is there a player you pattern your game after?

HM: I think that if I’m going to make an impact on this game then I just have to play like myself. I don’t want to be flashy. I just want to relax, have fun and play my game.

PE: I’ve seen you listed at every infield and outfield corner position. What position do you feel most comfortable at, and if different, what position do you see yourself playing in the future?

HM: I love third base because I love the speed and the pace of the game over there, but as far as the future goes I’ll play anywhere in the field as long as I get to hit. I’ve pretty much done everything but catch, but I guess if somebody wants me to catch then I’ll give that a shot too.

PE: Famous last words?

HM: Play hard and leave it all between the lines.

Patrick Ebert is affiliated with both Perfect Game USA and Brewerfan.net, and can be contacted via email at pebert@brewerfan.net.