M’s 1B Morrison has had tough luck at the plate this season

SEATTLE — Statistical analysis in baseball isn’t, as it often seems, always at odds with those who judge the game through an eye test. Cue up Mariners first baseman Logan Morrison over the first 15 games.

Eye test:

“He’s hitting in some tough luck right now,” manager Lloyd McClendon said. “He’s hit some balls extremely hard. He’s had a couple home runs brought back into the ballpark.”

Stat crunch:

Morrison has a .200 batting average on balls in play (BABIP), which seeks to measure a player’s luck at the plate since it covers every plate appearance in which the defense has a chance to make a play on the ball. Exceptions include striking out, getting a walk, being hit by a pitch, reaching on catcher’s interference, executing a sacrifice bunt or hitting a home run. And, yes, that means all of those homers hurt Nelson Cruz’s BABIP.

Back to LoMo: His BABIP isn’t just the worst among the Mariners’ regular players, it ranks among the worst in baseball. The major-league average BABIP through Wednesday was .290, and it usually hovers near .300.

So all agreed? Tough luck?

“The more people get a book on you,” Morrison rationalizes, “the more tough luck you’re going to run into. But at the same time, I have to do a better job of having better at-bats throughout the entirety of the game.”

Morrison has a .280 BABIP in his six big-league seasons. So he’s often been at least a few ticks below the major-league average. That’s due, in part, to the increasing tendency by clubs to shift their defensive alignments.

Since Morrison is a dead pull hitter, opponents regularly compensate by shifting their shortstop to the right side of second base.

“I’ve hit some balls into the shift,” he acknowledged. “I’ve hit some balls past the shift. I think the better my swing gets, the better my recognition gets, the more I’m going to break the shift.

“I don’t really know the data. I just know if I’m going good, I’m not worried about where the infield is playing. It’s more about the outfielders and, hopefully, they can’t get to it when I hit it into the gap.”

That’s also supported by numbers.

Morrison faced similar shifts a year ago and produced a .345 BABIP over his final 51 games while compiling a .321/.372/.506 slash (batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage).

It was, perhaps, the finest sustained stretch of his career and dissuaded club officials from searching last winter for alternatives at first base. For now, those club officials are staying patient.

“Obviously, you’d like to see (Morrison hit) better,” McClendon said, “and you’d like to see it very quickly. History says that he will hit. Stay aggressive. Keep swinging the bat and good things will happen.”

So Morrison grinds on.

“It’s tough to sleep sometimes,” he admitted, “but it’s not because I’m not hitting well. It’s because I’m not hitting well, and we’re not winning. It makes it a little easier if you are winning.”

The Mariners entered the season amid high expectations but are just 6-9 as they open a three-game series Friday against Minnesota at Safeco Field.

“It’s a long season,” Morrison said. “You don’t want to keep saying that to give yourself an excuse. Keep saying, ‘We’ll get them tomorrow, we’ll get them tomorrow.’ We want to get them tonight.

“At the same time, you know you’ve got a lot ahead of you. It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. All of the cliches you can come up with. It keeps you level-headed. It keeps you steady.

“You come to the field, ready to go every day, and ready to beat somebody up. Make somebody pay.”

A little better luck wouldn’t hurt.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.