One of the most decorated players in Long Island baseball history has a new home.
Brian Morrell, two-time winner of the Carl Yastrzemski Award and 2017 MLB Draft pick, has transferred to St. John’s University from the University of Notre Dame.
It was just two years ago that Morrell was the most talked about player in our region, he completed an historic 5-year high school career by leading Shoreham-Wading River to the Long Island Championship against Wantagh. For his career, he won 23 games with a 1.15 ERA an 295 strikeouts over 213 IP. At the plate, he batted .409 with 26 home runs and 124 RBI.
His senior season was legendary. He compiled a record of 10-1 with a 1.28 ERA and 93 strikeouts over 67.1 IP. He fired three no-hitters, (six for his career) and was also just as impressive at the plate. His numbers were ridiculous; .494 AVG, with 7 HR, 39 RBI, 37 runs scored and .899 SLG. He saved his best work for the postseason when he smacked grand slams in back-to-back games en route to their first Class A County Championship since 2012.
The Wildcats won 20 consecutive games that year in large part to Morrell’s heroics. He captured his second consecutive Yaz Award, given to the top player in Suffolk County. He is only the second player to every win the award twice.
The following month, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 35th round, but opted to attend college instead. In January 2018 he was the recipient of the Axcess Baseball Man of the Year Award.
He made eight appearances over two seasons at Notre Dame before deciding to transfer back to New York.
There are very few players with the career accolades of Morrell. His story is far from complete. The 6’0 RHP with a blazing fastball returning home is a huge story line and something for Long Island baseball fans to follow over the next two seasons.
