SLIPPERY ROCK — Although he's only one year into his college baseball career, Andrew Morris knows all about being part of a team.

The Slippery Rock Sliders' right-handed ace might be the best pitcher in the Prospect League, but he cares more about being a good teammate.

"His easiest day of the week is the day he pitches," said Sliders pitching coach Chad Fitzgerald. "This guy's work ethic is incredible."

Morris is the first one out of the dugout to congratulate a teammate on a good play, he'll chase down foul balls — he'll even deliver baseballs to the umpire.

"Even when he's not pitching, he's totally into the game," Sliders manager Chase Rowe said. "He sits right next to me in the dugout every game. It's almost like having another coach.

"He's a competitive person who loves to win."

And winning is something Morris does quite often.

He leads the Prospect League with a 4-0 record, has 26 strikeouts, has only nine walks in 27 innings pitched and sports a 1.33 earned run average.

Morris has allowed only 12 hits and opposing batters are hitting a minuscule .130 against him.

"I'm still not where I want to be," the 6-foot-3 pitcher from Alabama said. "I need to spot my pitches against left-handed batters better."

Case in point: Butler BlueSox leadoff batter Brian Billigen drilled a Morris fastball over the right-field fence Sunday at Critchfield Park.

"Belt-high, right down the middle — I never saw that ball again," Morris said. "That's what I'm talking about."

Still, Morris is on his game much more than he's off it. As a freshman at Gulf Coast (Fla.) Community College this season, he posted a 10-2 record with a 2.76 ERA, 107 strikeouts and 42 walks in 94 innings.

He allowed 65 hits in those 94 innings — and Division I scouts came calling.

"Auburn, North Carolina State, Maryland and South Alabama want me, but I'm staying put," Morris insisted.

Again, it's all about team.

"I was one of 16 freshmen at Gulf Coast this year and we finished 32-20," he said. "Next year should be our year. You don't bail on your teammates.

"Yeah, those offers were tempting, but if I keep pitching well, those scouts will be back."

The same can be said for the major league scouts.

Morris was going to be selected in the sixth round by the Milwaukee Brewers in the amateur draft earlier this month, but the money wasn't enough to get him to sign.

The Brewers wound up choosing him in the 44th round after the fact. Morris was the only Sliders player drafted.

"It worked out for the best," he said. "I don't think I'm ready to make that transition yet. The command of my pitches isn't good enough right now."

Two other Prospect League pitchers, Clayton Schultz of Chillicothe (Ohio) and Jarred Hippen of Quincy (Ill.), got off to 3-0 starts this season. Neither was drafted.

Morris' fastball can reach 91 mph. He also throws a curve and a split-finger fastball he refers to as his out pitch.

"Andrew's been working on a changeup that he didn't have when he got here," Fitzgerald said. "Now he uses it in games and it's working for him.

"He throws on the side a lot and is always working on things. He's got the talent, but it's his work ethic that sets him apart."

Despite being constrained by a pitch count, Morris has thrown two complete games in his four starts for the Sliders.

He threw only 86 pitches — 57 for strikes — in his 5-2 win over Butler Sunday. The seven-inning game was played in less than 90 minutes.

"Ground balls are better than strikeouts," Morris said. "When I'm on my game, it doesn't take long."