Defense Improving
Despite being injured, Morgan has improved on his catching as well during instructional league.
"I'm starting to throw guys out more consistently," Morgan said. "I'm also getting to be a better receiver...I'm excited because I'm learning a lot and getting better quickly.
"You learn that stats aren't everything and you'll go crazy if that's all you think about. We play so many games here [in the minors] that you can't help but get better."
One of the most difficult adjustments for any player coming from collegiate to minor league baseball is the transition from aluminum to wooden bats.
"It was tough this summer switching to wood," Morgan said. "You think you have to do things differently when you probably don't.
This summer his rookie team played other rookie league teams from Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. He travelled for hours by bus and slept in motels from state to state.
"My life was not at all glamorous," said Morgan. "We would travel by bus for 13 to 15 hours for a three-game stand in Idaho then we would travel another five hours to Montana. We would end up playing in three different states in one week. It was hard on the body and the mind."
The pay was not that great either. Morgan was paid $850 a month, $150 of which went for rent to the family with whom he was living.
"I gained a whole new respect for these guys because they put so much time in the minors travelling around and playing every day," Morgan said. "It's no wonder they are paid so much when they make it to The Show."
His team was the second-best in Medicine Hat history. It had a 39-34 record with the second most wins and contended for the championships.
Back at the Ranch
Morgan seems to be getting along well out of Harvard but can Harvard survive the loss of this great athlete?
"His ability is much higher than an 18th round pick," said Mike Giardi, captain of this year's baseball team. "His potential and the power in his arm is unbelievable. He should have gone between the 10th and 15th rounds, probably in the 10th.
"Dave will not only be missed for his baseball ability, but also for the charisma he brought to the field," Giardi said.
In the end:
"Dave's one of the finest hitters we've had at Harvard," baseball Coach Leigh Hogan said. "Nobody's going to fill Dave's shoes 100 percent, we're not going to try to do that. He's a genuine major league prospect."