St. John’s University RHP Brian Morrell (Shoreham-Wading River 2017) working his way back from TJ. Brian is a 4-time All-State player and 2-time Carl Yastrzemski Award winner pic.twitter.com/7guElB16tM
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 7, 2021
It was not long ago that every start was must-see when Brian Morrell took the mound.
During the months of April and May of 2017, the Shoreham-Wading River star RHP and SS was close to untouchable. He was the most recognizable name along with Jimmy Joyce of Wantagh. It appeared the two would square off in the highly-anticipated Class A Long Island Championship game at SUNY Old Westbury with the Wildcats riding a 20-game win streak. From a content perspective, it was absolute gold.
That did not occur. In a surprise move, Wantagh decided to start junior southpaw Anthony Fontana. Joyce recently told me he was experiencing some discomfort in his elbow and they decided not to risk it. The move turned out brilliant, as the Wantagh bats put up four runs in the first inning off Morrell. He wound up settling down and throwing five shutout innings after that but the damage was done. Wantagh came away with the 4-2 win and captured their second of their three Long Island Championships.
Two weeks later, Morrell capped his decorated career with his second straight Carl Yastrzemski Award.
He was also a four-time All-State player, fired a LI record six no-hitters, struck out 295 batters and also clubbed 26 home runs at the plate. He was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 35th round of the 2017 MLB Draft but opted to attend the prestigious University of Notre Dame.
After two years he opted to come home and transfer to St. John’s University but tore his UCL which required Tommy John Surgery on March 3. He is rehabbing now and preparing for the 2021 season.
The 21-year-old stated “The Johnnies were a great fit to get back to my old self as well as being close to home to all the trainers in the area!”
It may be a while before we see another player compile a five-year varsity career like Morrell.
