Angels hire Hal Morris as pro scouting director

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In the latest move toward rebuilding a front office decimated by firings, the Angels on Monday announced that former big leaguer Hal Morris has agreed to terms on a multiyear contract to become director of pro scouting.

“Hal brings a very special set of skills to our organization,’ General Manager Jerry Dipoto said in a statement. “His abilities in the areas of player evaluation and qualitative analysis will play a major role in the program we are building here.”

Morris, 46, began his professional career after his selection by the New York Yankees in the eighth round of the 1986 draft. He made his big-league debut with the Yankees two years later and during a career that included time with New York (1988-89), Cincinnati (1990-97, 1999-2000), Kansas City (1998) and Detroit (2000), he compiled a career .304 average with 76 home runs and 513 RBI in 1,246 games.

A member of the 1990 World Series champion Reds, Morris’ sacrifice fly in Game 4 turned out to be the game-winning and series-winning RBI. A year later, he finished second in the National League batting race, one point behind Atlanta’s Terry Pendleton (.319 to .318).

After retiring as a player Morris joined the Pittsburgh Pirates organization and scouted amateur players from 2008-2009 before joining the Boston Red Sox in 2010. With the Sox, Morris was assigned to evaluate players already in the organization, both on the major and minor league levels.

-- Kevin Baxter