Returning reliever seeks more victories

By Jon Moffett

NILES — Last season for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers was, in terms of wins and losses, average.

The Scrappers finished 37-37 and in second place in the Pinckney Division of the New York-Penn League.

Reliever Daniel Morales feels the Scrappers were better than that.

“Our record definitely didn’t show how well we played,” Morales said. “A lot of guys did a lot of good things.

“There were a couple of points where we made mistakes last year that cost us some games,” Morales said. “If we could have lessened those mistakes, our record would’ve shown how we really played.”

Morales is excited for this season and ready to build on what the team was able to accomplish last year.

“Our goal as a team is just to go out there and play to the best of our abilities,” Morales said. “We’re going to take it as our last opportunity.

“We’re going to come out and start growing both as players and people,” Morales said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to pull some wins together.”

One thing that excites Morales about this season is new manager Travis Fryman.

Fryman, who played 13 seasons in the major leagues including five with the Indians, replaces Tim Laker. This will be the first managerial role for Fryman.

“He definitely speaks loudly to us,” said Morales of Fryman. “He has so much experience and knowledge of the game that he’ll be a great mentor.”

Morales hopes to improve his own game, too.

“I’m going to give it everything I can,” Morales said. “I need to be aggressive in hitting the [strike] zone and to not ever go out with a passive mentality.”

Morales went 2-1 in 15 games last season, pitching 23 1/3 innings.

His ERA was 4.63, with 21 strikeouts and 11 walks.

Morales’ future may be as a closer. He said he’ll accept any role and do his best to help the team.

“I’ll definitely go in for whatever they need,” Morales said. “[I’ll do] whatever I can do to help the ball club win.”

Morales was born and raised in San Francisco cheering for the Giants. He admits that despite the rivalry with Cleveland, Chicago White Sox closer Bobby Jenks is his favorite current player.

“He’s someone who has the same role and the same stuff as me and the same general body type,” Morales said.