Clark Murphy
| AB | 739 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .256 |
| OBP | .343 |
| SLG | .356 |
| HR | 10 |
- Full name Clark Maures Murphy
- Born 12/18/1989 in Fallbrook, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Fallbrook
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Drafted in the 5th round (153rd overall) by the Texas Rangers in 2008 (signed for $200,000).
View Draft Report
A UCLA recruit, Murphy first gained widespread attention with his impressive performance at a California high school coaches' showcase in June 2007. He was the top player at that event, along with Kyle Skipworth. During the home run contest at the Aflac Classic last August, Murphy pounded tape-measure shots with wood out of Tony Gwynn Stadium at San Diego State. In the eyes of many scouts, he has regressed since his coming-out party, despite a conditioning program that has left him with a strong, athletic frame that resembles a young Ryan Klesko. He struggled in fall and winter showcases and was hindered by an injured quad muscle. Murphy tends to open up too early in his swing, spinning off the ball. He also has a habit of blocking his hands and getting them almost locked beyond the front edge of the plate. Murphy's speed is below-average, but his arm and glove should be adequate for first base.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Murphy opened eyes during the home run contest at the 2007 Aflac Classic, pounding long blasts out of San Diego State's Tony Gwynn Stadium with a wood bat. He struggled in fall and winter showcases and battled a quadriceps injury, causing him to slip to the fifth round of the 2008 draft. It took the Rangers seven weeks to sign him from a UCLA commitment for a slightly above-slot $200,000 bonus. Murphy took a pull-heavy approach into pro ball, but the AZL Rangers coaching staff worked hard to get him to use more of the field and he ended his debut on a 20-for-44 (.455) tear. Murphy has a clean lefthanded swing with a load similar to that of Adam LaRoche. His strong build evokes Ryan Klesko, and he has plus raw power to go along with a sound offensive approach. Defense is more of a question mark. The Rangers worked Murphy out at first base and in the outfield during instructional league, but his below-average speed and mobility figure to tie him to first base. He'll go as far as his bat will carry him, and has a chance to be an impact bat in the big leagues. He should get a crack at low Class A in 2009.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Murphy didn't appear in the AZL until late July, as it took him seven weeks to sign with the Rangers for $200,000 as a fifth-round pick. He tried to pull everything when he first started with the Rangers, but the coaching staff worked on helping adopt more of an all-fields approach. The results paid off as he finished on a 20-for-44 (.455) tear. "He's got the mentality to get away from his power and go gap to gap to be a better hitter," Richardson said. "He's a sponge. He'll take it all in." At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, Murphy has a strong build and plays a decent first base. The Rangers are expected to try him in the outfield during instructional league, though it's questionable whether he has the speed to play there.
