Tommy Murphy

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #26 prospect in 2007
  Murphy made his major league debut on May 4, a banner day for recent graduates of the Angels system. Murphy had an RBI single, while Mike Napoli homered in his first big league at-bat (off Justin Verlander, no less), Casey Kotchman also took Verlander deep and Howie Kendrick delivered an RBI single of his own. Los Angeles moved Murphy from shortstop to the outfield in 2004, hoping to enhance his value as a utilityman, which is his future role. His swing has holes and his pitch recognition and plate discipline never have been his strong suit. Murphy might be the Angels' most athletic prospect, and his hand-eye coordination and quick hands enable him to compensate for his mechanical flaws. He has gap power and can sting balls into both alleys when he makes contact, which isn't often enough to allow him to play everyday. He has developed into an above-average defender with plus arm strength and speed. He and Reggie Willits will compete for a job as an extra outfielder in Los Angeles during spring training.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #20 prospect in 2006
  Murphy has been one of the best athletes in the system since signing in 2000 as a third-round pick out of Florida Atlantic, the highest draft choice in school history. But he struggled to make consistent contract as a pro and slid off the prospect map. In 2005, his sixth minor league season and second in Double-A, things finally started to click for Murphy. He didn't reach triple digits in strikeouts for the first time in five years and set career highs in several categories, earning a spot on the 40-man roster after the season. Murphy has five solid tools, most prominently plus speed and arm strength. He has a line-drive stroke from both sides of the plate and gap power. While he did a better job at the plate last year, he still swings and misses too often to profile as a leadoff man. Changeups especially give him trouble. The Angels moved Murphy from shortstop to the outfield in 2004 and he has developed into one of the system's best defensive outfielders. He played some center last year but spent most of his time at Arkansas in right field in deference to Reggie Willits. Murphy's athletic ability should carry him to the big leagues as a valuable and versatile reserve.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #30 prospect in 2003
  Selected by scouting directors as Baseball America's 2000 preseason All-America shortstop, Murphy projected as a first-round pick. His draft status faded as he batted .319 with aluminum, raising questions about his ability to hit pro pitching. After signing for $440,000, he hasn't erased those doubts. He made progress last season, his second as a switch-hitter, from the left side of the plate. Carrying a .188 average into June, Murphy hit .311 in his last 325 at-bats. His average rose as he became more consistent with his lefthanded stroke. He improved in situational hitting, especially behind in the count, and with his zone recognition. He still lacks power and strikes out too much. Murphy's athleticism is what gets scouts going. He's the best defensive infielder in the system, and not many prospects can match his arm strength, which rates a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. He's a well-above-average runner with good basestealing ability. The Angels hoped to build confidence by sending Murphy back to low Class A last year, and they believe they accomplished that. Now it's time to challenge the 23-year-old, and they'd be ecstatic if he reaches Double-A by the end of the year. If Murphy continues to make progress with his hitting approach, his defense and speed can carry him to the majors as no worse than a versatile utilityman.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #15 prospect in 2001
  Murphy opened 2000 as the top-rated shortstop prospect in college baseball, but he struggled offensively and cost himself a chance to go in the first round. After signing with Anaheim as a second-rounder, he continued to have trouble with the bat. The Angels are convinced he'll hit because he has good hand-eye coordination and good balance at the plate. Working against him are his inability to read pitches, particularly sliders, and his poor concept of the strike zone. If he does hit, he'll be a good major league shortstop. He's a tremendous athlete, with 6.5-second speed in the 60-yard dash and an arm that rates a 7 on the 2-to-8 scouting scale. He can cover a lot of ground at shortstop and his hands are solid. It will be interesting to see how he performs offensively in 2001, when he's ticketed for one of Anaheim's Class A clubs.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Northwest League #20 prospect in 2000
  A preseason first-team All-American for Florida Atlantic, Murphy struggled with the bat in the spring and fell to the third round. The Angels haven't had success with recent college shortstops they've drafted, such as Kip Harkrider, Jay Hood and Brian Oliver, but Murphy's range and arm make him the truest shortstop of the bunch. "We're talking about an athlete," Kotchman said. "The bat's going to be there because he's shown some flashes—he'll figure it out—and he's a plus runner. Shortstop is a skill position, and he's got a plus arm and plus range. He's not as good as Bynum there, but he's good enough."

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  A preseason first-team All-American for Florida Atlantic, Murphy struggled with the bat in the spring and fell to the third round. The Angels haven't had success with recent college shortstops they've drafted, such as Kip Harkrider, Jay Hood and Brian Oliver, but Murphy's range and arm make him the truest shortstop of the bunch. "We're talking about an athlete," Kotchman said. "The bat's going to be there because he's shown some flashes—he'll figure it out—and he's a plus runner. Shortstop is a skill position, and he's got a plus arm and plus range. He's not as good as Bynum there, but he's good enough."