Worth His Salt : Morton Develops Into Top Prospect Despite Playing Outside the Limelight at Calabasas

Success has followed Josh Morton around the baseball field since his initial encounter with a bat and ball. Fact is, Morton was a standout before he was old enough to know the word’s meaning.

Morton’s earliest recollection of crowd-pleasing was as a bubble-gum blowing, baseball-card collecting 10-year-old. During one of his first youth games, Morton showed a glimpse of what was to come: He went four for four with two home runs, including a grand slam.

“Even though I was a little kid, I knew then I could play,” Morton said. “I knew I could be a player. I got this feeling . . . it ran right through me.”

A player he remains. The Calabasas High junior third baseman-pitcher is one of the area’s top prospects, although he believes others question his place among the best.

Among Morton’s accomplishments:

* A .483 batting average as a sophomore.

* Being selected state sophomore of the year by Cal-Hi Sports.

* Earning a berth on the All-Southern Section Division IV team.

* A school-record 28-game hitting streak over two seasons.

Clearly impressive. Yet Morton believes most people doubt him because Calabasas plays in the relatively weak Frontier League.

“Guys say we only play schools like ‘Our Lady of K mart’ and schools that are out in the boondocks,” Morton said. “It really makes me mad. They make us out to be the worst team in the world because we don’t have 4,000, 5,000 or more students.

“I kind of feel some pressure to prove my ability.”

The trail of this teen Angst leads to the hills: the West Hills’ youth baseball league. Morton learned the game there along with numerous other area standouts. The league’s alumni include Dan Cey and Justin Balser of El Camino Real, and Jeff Suppan and Brad Farlow of Crespi.

The feats of his West Hills buddies--and the media attention they attract--is a source of frustration for Morton. Their names often appear in newspapers. News about the Coyotes is about as frequent coyote sightings in these parts.

Calabasas traditionally has not been among the baseball elite. The Coyotes play in the Southern Section’s third-lowest division, which, in theory, means fewer dominant players and teams. That formula equals less media coverage.

“It bothers a lot of teams when you’re doing good and don’t get into the papers,” Morton said. “A lot of guys resent that.”

Morton’s feelings about lack of coverage are heightened because of the jokes he endures--good-natured and otherwise--from teammates during summer ball.

“A lot of guys I used to play with (in youth baseball) just say I got lucky with the hitting streak, that my coaches really got me the award, that my mom keeps the book . . . I’ve heard it all,” Morton said. “None of that stuff is true.

“It’s not like that. Baseball is baseball.”

Morton had to convince himself. As a freshman, he thought about attending a high school with a more prominent baseball program.

“I think I’d be a little better if I were at a school like Simi Valley because when you play with better talent you get better no matter what you do,” Morton said. “But I thought about it for a while and figured if I had the talent it wouldn’t matter where I play.”

Crespi ace Suppan--The Times’ Valley Pitcher of the year in 1992--knows about Morton’s ability. The two were teammates for a year in a youth baseball league. Suppan, who has committed to UCLA, believes Morton has nothing to prove.

“Even (in youth baseball) he was a great third baseman and a great hitter,” Suppan said. “I remember when we were younger he always used to put it out (of the park).

“I always knew he’d be a great player.”

Calabasas co-Coach Scott Drootin agrees. Drootin has coached Morton for four years, beginning in the West Hills league.

“Josh really doesn’t realize how good he is,” Drootin said. “We don’t talk about it, but he has the ability to be an excellent ballplayer in college.”

Calabasas might not be a baseball factory, but playing there has provided its rewards--and challenges. In addition to his .483 batting average last season, Morton also excelled as the Coyotes’ closer: He was 2-0 with a 1.05 earned-run average, three saves and 25 strikeouts in 26 innings.

He is producing more of the same this season.

Morton (5-foot-8, 180 pounds) had hits in the Coyotes’ first eight games to run his streak to 28. Former Torrance High catcher Jason Kendall holds the state record at 43 games.

Morton’s average has dipped to .350, in part because he is making adjustments in his compact swing to generate more power. He leads the league in RBIs with 22, is second in home runs with two and plays a smooth third base.

Morton (4-3), who as a pitcher relies on superior control, leads the league in victories, strikeouts (46) and has a 0.40 ERA.

His record probably would be better if Calabasas could shore up its defense. Of the 18 runs he has allowed, two are earned.

“He’s an outstanding young player,” said David Rhoades, coach of league opponent Moorpark. “He creates problems for kids at this level because he has control of a lot of pitches. He also handles adversity well. He’s pretty much nails on the hill.”

But there is more to the game than numbers, as Morton can attest.

“A lot of space cadet kids go out there just to swing a bat, but I think you really can’t love baseball until you understand it,” he said. “I read books and magazines on baseball because you have to be able to look at a situation and know when it’s the right time for a squeeze, or a hit and run, whatever.”

Morton, 17, was named a captain this season and is learning about the mantle of leadership.

“The younger kids look up to me and the older kids consider me their equal on the baseball field,” Morton said. “Sometimes I do feel the pressure to carry the team.”

Part of the pressure stems from Morton’s competitive drive. He wants to be the one to come through with the clutch hit, the key strikeout or defensive play. Anything less is unacceptable.

After practices, Morton often challenges Drootin to a show of home run power.

“Josh’s dad usually has to come down and get him because neither one of us wants to leave until we each win,” an amused Drootin said. “One of the things that makes Josh great is that he is so competitive. It helps make him the player he is.”

Also, his desire for a professional baseball career pushes Morton to view every at-bat, every fielding chance and every pitch as all-important. It seems he’s still trying to prove his worth--that he belongs among the best.

“A lot of players plateau early,” Morton said. “I really want to make the majors so I hope that doesn’t happen to me for a while.

“I’m going to keep working hard so that I can show people I’m here and I’m for real.”