Is Michael Morse a 30-homer player? The Washington Nationals outfielder hit 15 homers last year in 98 games. He’s the firm No. ?5 hitter in a lineup loaded at 2-3-4. Morse has teased Nats fans with big hits since getting traded from Seattle in 2009 so Washington was eager to see season-long production. Morse feels the same.
“I’m surprised myself how relaxed I feel,” he said. “It comes with being more [at ease]. … I’m happy with my game. I feel great about myself and I feel great about this team. There’s nothing to be stressed about. We have 162 of these things, so we can’t be too crazy on one of them.”
But can Morse stay healthy? There was knee surgery in 2006 and a bad wrist in 2007. He was Seattle’s Opening Day starter in 2008 only to suffer a season-ending shoulder dislocation four games later when diving for a ball.
Seattle finally gave up on Morse midway through 2009 when sending him to Washington for outfielder Ryan Langerhans. It was a fine trade for the Nats in getting someone who plays all three outfield positions plus experience at three infield slots. Essentially, he doesn’t play second base or behind the plate.
Washington finally gave Morse more of an opportunity last season, playing in 98 games. With a .289 average, 15 homers and 41 RBI, Nats manager Jim Riggleman brought Morse to spring training as the starter. Morse then led the Nats with nine homers in Florida.
“To have nine home runs in 75 at-bats would surprise anyone,” Riggleman said.
Morse learned to be more disciplined at the plate by watching new teammate Jayson Werth, a former Philadelphia slugger who came to the Nats over the offseason in a blockbuster $126 million, seven-year deal.
“[Werth] takes so many pitches,” Morse said. “Sometimes he’ll take a pitch down the middle, but the next two pitches are balls. He says ‘pitchers are trying to get you out throwing balls, not strikes.’?”
It has led Morse to gain confidence knowing his chances will come. Not that Morse needs an ego boost given a .291 mark over 237 games. But the chance to play a full season has him eager to deliver a breakout year. It all comes down to knowing his strengths.
“Just knowing me the way I play, the way I hit [leads to confidence],” Morse said. “Just playing my game. Not playing outside it. I plan on doing just that. I’m not changing anything. I have good enough teammates around me, they’ll notice if I press too hard or put too much pressure on myself, they’ll bring me right back up.”
After all, nothing breeds confidence like success.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or e-mail [email protected].
