Murphy had Tommy John surgery and didn’t pitch as a Hamilton (Ariz.) High senior in 2013, though it didn’t stop Toronto, intrigued by the right-hander’s upside, from drafting him in the third round in June. But injury woes followed Murphy into the pro ranks, and he lost all of 2015 as well as chunks of ’14 and ’16 to thoracic outlet syndrome and ulnar transposition surgery. He finally put it all together in 2018, breaking out to garner Pitcher of the Year honors in the Florida State League before a late promotion to Double-A New Hampshire. Returning to the Eastern League in 2019, Murphy cruised through his first 11 starts (3.69 ERA, 9.2 K/9, 2.3 BB/9) before the Major League Baseball Umpires Association determined in early June that the toe-tap he uses in his delivery before planting his left leg was illegal, per Rule 5.07(a).
The Umpires Association’s ruling derailed Murphy’s season. He spent the second half trying to find a comfortable delivery, both on the side and during games, to no avail and pitched erratically as a result before landing on the injured list with shoulder fatigue. Prior to that, however, Murphy had been sitting in the mid-90s and creeping into the upper-90s more consistently with his big fastball. His power curveball is one of the best in Toronto’s system, a true plus pitch for which he showed improved feel in 2019. Murphy’s changeup lags well behind his fastball-curve combo and will be a focal point in his development going forward.
First, however, Murphy will need to get his new delivery down before he begins work on his changeup. He now hovers with his front leg in lieu of the illegal toe-tap, an adjustment that club officials believe will allow Murphy to return to form once it clicks. With two plus pitches and a track record of throwing strikes, missing bats and getting ground balls, Murphy could be a successful big league starter even if the changeup doesn’t come to fruition. If not, he could excel in a bullpen role on the strength of his fastball-curveball pairing.
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.
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, the right-hander had a nerve removed from his elbow.
Finally healthy in 2016, Murphy showed the promise that had made him a high pick while reaching full-season ball for the first time. His fastball sat between 92-95 mph and touched 97, with good plane and sinking action that makes him difficult to barrel. Murphy also flashed plus with his power curveball, which registers at 75-79 mph with tight spin and late bite, and his feel for his changeup improved as he worked deeper into the season.
Staying on the field will be crucial in Murphy's future development, as he had logged just four pro innings prior to 2016. He's big and physical, with a frame built for eating innings, as well as stuff that could make him a No. 4 starter or late-inning reliever once fully developed.
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 40 | Overall: 45
Back in 2012, Murphy seemed to be making a name for himself as one of the better prep hurlers in Arizona. Unfortunately, a right elbow injury brought his junior campaign to an abrupt end, and he missed his entire senior year after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Intrigued by the upside Murphy showed before the injury, the Blue Jays selected the Oregon State commit in the third round of the 2013 Draft and convinced him to sign for $500,000, or $150,000 less than his pick value.
Murphy continued to experience numbness in his arm and hand when he got back on the mound, prompting surgeons to remove one of his ribs under the assumption it was pinching a nerve. When his symptoms failed to improve last spring, the right-hander had a nerve removed from his elbow.
Now fully healthy and pitching in games for the first time in two years, the 21-year-old is beginning to look like his old self. His fastball consistently has been 91-95 mph and as high 97 this season in the Northwest League, and he's throwing it with a lot of late sinking action. Murphy is also flashing plus with his power curveball, which registers at 75-79 mph with tight spin and late bite, and he's steadily regaining feel for his changeup.
