Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45
Murphy was viewed as a bit of wild card heading into the 2013 Draft after Tommy John surgery had wiped out his entire senior season at Hamilton (Ariz.) High. Intrigued by Murphy's upside, the Blue Jays selected him in the third round and convinced him to sign for $500,000, $150,000 less than his pick value. But the right-hander experienced numbness in his arm and hand when he got back on the mound, prompting surgeons to treat him for thoracic outlet syndrome by removing one of his ribs to alleviate a pinched nerve. When his symptoms failed to improve, Murphy had a nerve removed from his elbow. After making a healthy return in 2016 and building up his workload the following year, Murphy broke out in earnest in 2018, earning Pitcher of the Year honors in the Florida State League before a late bump to Double-A. The Blue Jays added Murphy to their 40-man roster after the season.
Big and strong, Murphy will sit at 92-95 mph and touch 97, throwing his heater with downhill plane and sinking action that makes him difficult to barrel. His power curveball flashes plus, registering at 75-79 mph with tight spin and late bite, and he shows feel for throwing a firm changeup that improved as the season played out. What's more, Murphy racked up more strikeouts in 2018 (8.4 K/9) than at any point in his career and led all Minor League hurlers (140 IP min.) with a 59.1 percent ground-ball rate.
More important than the results, Murphy stayed healthy for the entire season, accruing 152 2/3 innings across 27 starts. There are a range of outcomes in projecting Murphy's development, but more and more the signs are pointing to a bright future for him as a Nos. 4 or 5 starter. Transactions Team Date Transaction 09/30/2019 Toronto Blue Jays recalled RHP Patrick Murphy from New Hampshire Fisher Cats. 08/29/2019 New Hampshire Fisher Cats placed RHP Patrick Murphy on the 7-day injured list retroactive to August 28, 2019. 08/24/2019 New Hampshire Fisher Cats activated RHP Patrick Murphy from the 7-day injured list. 07/19/2019 New Hampshire Fisher Cats placed RHP Patrick Murphy on the 7-day injured list. 06/28/2019 New Hampshire Fisher Cats activated RHP Patrick Murphy from the 7-day injured list. 06/18/2019 New Hampshire Fisher Cats placed RHP Patrick Murphy on the 7-day injured list. 04/01/2019 RHP Patrick Murphy assigned to New Hampshire Fisher Cats from Buffalo Bisons. 03/11/2019 Toronto Blue Jays optioned RHP Patrick Murphy to Buffalo Bisons. 11/20/2018 Toronto Blue Jays selected the contract of Patrick Murphy from Dunedin Blue Jays. 05/28/2018 RHP Patrick Murphy assigned to Dunedin Blue Jays from New Hampshire Fisher Cats. 05/27/2018 RHP Patrick Murphy assigned to New Hampshire Fisher Cats from Dunedin Blue Jays. 08/23/2017 RHP Patrick Murphy assigned to Dunedin Blue Jays from Lansing Lugnuts. 08/01/2017 Lansing Lugnuts activated RHP Patrick Murphy from the 7-day disabled list. 07/18/2017 Lansing Lugnuts sent RHP Patrick Murphy on a rehab assignment to GCL Blue Jays. 06/08/2017 Lansing Lugnuts placed RHP Patrick Murphy on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to June 6, 2017. 04/24/2017 Lansing Lugnuts activated RHP Patrick Murphy from the 7-day disabled list. 04/19/2017 Lansing Lugnuts placed RHP Patrick Murphy on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to April 17, 2017. 04/03/2017 RHP Patrick Murphy assigned to Lansing Lugnuts from Vancouver Canadians. 06/17/2016 RHP Patrick Murphy assigned to Vancouver Canadians from Lansing Lugnuts. 06/15/2016 Lansing Lugnuts activated RHP Patrick Murphy from the temporarily inactive list. 06/13/2016 Lansing Lugnuts placed RHP Patrick Murphy on the temporarily inactive list. 05/13/2016 RHP Patrick Murphy assigned to Lansing Lugnuts from GCL Blue Jays. 09/24/2015 GCL Blue Jays activated RHP Patrick Murphy from the 60-day disabled list. 06/22/2015 GCL Blue Jays placed RHP Patrick Murphy on the 60-day disabled list. 09/29/2014 GCL Blue Jays activated RHP Patrick Murphy from the 60-day disabled list. 08/01/2014 GCL Blue Jays placed RHP Patrick Murphy on the 60-day disabled list. 09/23/2013 GCL Blue Jays activated RHP Patrick Murphy from the 60-day disabled list. 06/26/2013 GCL Blue Jays transferred RHP Patrick Murphy from the 7-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list. 06/21/2013 RHP Patrick Murphy assigned to GCL Blue Jays. 06/13/2013 Toronto Blue Jays signed RHP Patrick Murphy.
