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Charlie Morton 2022 Player Outlook: Successful Track Record Overlooked In Drafts
3 years agoAtlanta Braves starting pitcher Charlie Morton bounced back in his first year in Georgia, posting a 14-6 record, 3.34 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 7.7 BB%, and 28.6 K% in 185.2 innings. His 3.18 FIP backs up his success, and he's now produced a sub-3.60 FIP the last six seasons, with an xERA below 3.80 three of the past four. His success stems from a curveball with six more inches of horizontal movement than average and generated a 40.1 Whiff%. He pairs his curve with a four-seamer that often hits 96 MPH, increasing its average velocity by about 2 MPH from 2020. He should be able to keep his K-rate up, considering he produced an elite 30.9 CSW%. His less-than-ideal chase rate might scare some fantasy managers. However, hitters didn't make much contact when they did chase, as Morton ranked eighth in O-Contact% at 54.5%. He also did an excellent job of fooling hitters in the zone, ranking fourth in Z-Swing% at 64.6%. He turned 38 in November but has shown no signs of slowing down and should be ready for Spring Training after experiencing a playoff-ending shin injury. The Braves will be a good team again, making Morton a possible four-category contributor. He's being drafted 91st overall, which is pretty late when guys like Alek Manoah and Dylan Cease are going before him.
