Patrick Murphy Stats & Scouting Report

IP	39
ERA	4.846
WHIP	1.667
BB/9	4.615
SO/9	8.769

Full name Patrick Brian Murphy
Born 06/10/1995 in Chandler, AZ
Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 211 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Hamilton
Debut 09/18/2020
Drafted in the 3rd round (83rd overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2013 (signed for $500,000).

View Draft Report

The Blue Jays signed third baseman Mitch Nay out of Hamilton in 2012, so area scout Blake Crosby got a good look at Murphy and had some history with him before he had to have Tommy John surgery last summer. He didn't pitch at all during the high school season, but has been throwing some rehabilitation bullpen sessions, as he is nearly a year removed from the operation. Murphy has a big, strong build at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds. At his best last year, his fastball sat in the 89-93 mph range and he mixes in a solid curveball and changeup. Murphy is committed to Oregon.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

TRACK RECORD: Murphy was pitching well for Double-A New Hampshire in 2019 before umpires informed him in the middle of the season that his toe tap with his left foot was illegal. He took time off to change his mechanics and struggled the rest of the way as he tried to adapt to his new delivery. He spent 2020 continuing to make adjustments at the alternate training site and earned his first major league callup in September, when he made four solid relief appearances.

SCOUTING REPORT: Murphy's fastball sat in the low-to-mid 90s as a starter and ticked up to 95-98 mph in relief in his debut. He likes to pitch up in the zone and to his arm side, though he tends to fly open in his delivery and has less success locating to his glove side. Murphy pairs his fastball with a power curveball that has slider-like velocity at 82-85 mph. It has a hard, sharp break and is a plus pitch at its best. Murphy has a below-average changeup and didn't throw it in the majors. His medical record includes Tommy John surgery, an operation for thoracic outlet syndrome and a surgery to reposition nerves in his pitching elbow early in his career.

THE FUTURE: Between his delivery, medical history and the way his powerful two-pitch mix has played up as a reliever, the bullpen may be the best place for Murphy. He could be a middle reliever with the upside to pitch in higher leverage situations.
TRACK RECORD: Murphy was in the midst of a strong stretch with Double-A New Hampshire heading into early June when umpires informed him that they determined the toe tap with his left foot in his delivery was illegal. Murphy stayed in the rotation, but he got knocked around in his next two starts, and even with time off to re-work his mechanics, he never got in sync trying to adjust to a new delivery.

SCOUTING REPORT: It was another setback for Murphy, who has had Tommy John surgery, an operation for thoracic outlet syndrome and another operation to reposition nerves in his pitching elbow. The delivery setback adds a lot of uncertainty to Murphy's projection, but he has a power arm, sitting in the low-to-mid-90s with his fastball with the ability to dial it up to the upper 90s. He pairs it with a power curveball that has good shape, sharp bite and that he does a good job landing for strikes, flashing as a plus pitch. He throws a fringe-average change, but he's primarily a fastball/breaking ball pitcher.

THE FUTURE: Murphy will try to regroup in 2020 and has a chance to be a back-end starter, though he could fit as a multi-inning reliever as well.
Track Record: Murphy missed his senior season of high school with an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery, but the Blue Jays drafted him anyway as a third-round pick in 2013. He returned to the mound in 2014, but had surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome and, when that didn't relieve his symptoms, doctors repositioned nerves in his pitching elbow. Murphy threw just four innings in his first four seasons, but he had a breakthrough 2018, winning the Florida State League pitcher of the year award.

Scouting Report: Murphy's strikeout rate jumped from 5.8 K/9 with low Class A Lansing in 2017 to 8.3 K/9 in the FSL last year. His velocity has increased over the year, now sitting at 92-95 mph with good movement and reaching 98 mph. He pairs it with a curveball that's still inconsistent but flashes plus. Murphy has tinkered with different grips on his changeup and tried throwing it more often in 2018, but it's still a firm, below-average pitch and a key point for his development. Throwing 152.2 innings was a big development in Murphy's durability and potential to remain a starter given his medical history.

The Future: Now on the 40-man roster, Murphy should open 2019 in Double-A. If he builds on last year, he could make his MLB debut by the end of the season, with a chance to be a No. 4 starter.
Murphy prepped at Arizona's famed Hamilton High, where he teamed with Jays 2012 draftee Mitch Nay and current Dodgers prospect Cody Bellinger. Murphy missed his senior season with an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery, but the Blue Jays drafted him in the third round anyway and signed him for $500,000. While Murphy returned to limited action in 2014, he struggled in his rehabilitation and eventually had surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome that cost him 2015. He entered his fourth pro season in 2016 with four professional innings under his belt, joined low Class A Lansing in May and finished the season in the short-season Vancouver rotation. Murphy is put together with a good pitcher's body and improved strength--he can deadlift 500 pounds--that he uses in his delivery. His fastball reaches 95-96 mph, often sitting there, and some see him as a future candidate to throw 100 mph. He had the ability to spin a breaking ball in high school and still flashes plus with his biting curveball even after the missed development time. Murphy's changeup gives him a chance to have three pitches that grade at least average, and he bought into using it this year with zeal. He will join a Class A rotation in 2017.

Minor League Top Prospects

Murphy was able to get his first taste of upper-level competition after pitching well in the high Class A Florida State League in 2018. While the righthander didn't fare well overall and spent three different stints on the injured list, Murphy was a warrior during day games. He allowed just 19 hits in 38 innings during daytime starts while striking out just over one batter per inning. Murphy's 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame is built for innings in the rotation. He repeats his delivery well and has a blazing fastball that will touch the upper 90s. It's a plus pitch and goes well with his potentially plus curveball, which he lands for strikes and features big, downward break. His changeup is a useable offering but doesn't project as plus. His arsenal and frame should get him starts at the back of the rotation for Toronto, and his velocity and breaking ball give him a solid fallback as a useful reliever.
Murphy had Tommy John surgery as a high school senior, then had one procedure to remove a rib to alleviate a pinched nerve and another to remove a ligament from his pitching elbow. That translated into just four innings during his first three pro seasons. He was finally healthy this year and caught the eye of evaluators. Managers praised Murphy for the angle on his 92-96 mph fastball and ability to pound the bottom part of the zone with his entire arsenal. He couples his fastball with a 12-to-6 curveball that rates as an above-average pitch and a changeup he spent time developing at Vancouver. His control (3.0 walker per nine innings) was impressive considering his missed time and poor start (14 walks in 21 innings) at low Class A Lansing this spring.

Scouting Reports

TRACK RECORD: Murphy was pitching well for Double-A New Hampshire in 2019 before umpires informed him in the middle of the season that his toe tap with his left foot was illegal. He took time off to change his mechanics and struggled the rest of the way as he tried to adapt to his new delivery. He spent 2020 continuing to make adjustments at the alternate training site and earned his first major league callup in September, when he made four solid relief appearances.

SCOUTING REPORT: Murphy's fastball sat in the low-to-mid 90s as a starter and ticked up to 95-98 mph in relief in his debut. He likes to pitch up in the zone and to his arm side, though he tends to fly open in his delivery and has less success locating to his glove side. Murphy pairs his fastball with a power curveball that has slider-like velocity at 82-85 mph. It has a hard, sharp break and is a plus pitch at its best. Murphy has a below-average changeup and didn't throw it in the majors. His medical record includes Tommy John surgery, an operation for thoracic outlet syndrome and a surgery to reposition nerves in his pitching elbow early in his career.

THE FUTURE: Between his delivery, medical history and the way his powerful two-pitch mix has played up as a reliever, the bullpen may be the best place for Murphy. He could be a middle reliever with the upside to pitch in higher leverage situations.
TRACK RECORD: Murphy was pitching well for Double-A New Hampshire in 2019 before umpires informed him in the middle of the season that his toe tap with his left foot was illegal. He took time off to change his mechanics and struggled the rest of the way as he tried to adapt to his new delivery. He spent 2020 continuing to make adjustments at the alternate training site and earned his first major league callup in September, when he made four solid relief appearances.

SCOUTING REPORT: Murphy's fastball sat in the low-to-mid 90s as a starter and ticked up to 95-98 mph in relief in his debut. He likes to pitch up in the zone and to his arm side, though he tends to fly open in his delivery and has less success locating to his glove side. Murphy pairs his fastball with a power curveball that has slider-like velocity at 82-85 mph. It has a hard, sharp break and is a plus pitch at its best. Murphy has a below-average changeup and didn't throw it in the majors. His medical record includes Tommy John surgery, an operation for thoracic outlet syndrome and a surgery to reposition nerves in his pitching elbow early in his career.

THE FUTURE: Between his delivery, medical history and the way his powerful two-pitch mix has played up as a reliever, the bullpen may be the best place for Murphy. He could be a middle reliever with the upside to pitch in higher leverage situations.
TRACK RECORD: Murphy was pitching well for Double-A New Hampshire in 2019 before umpires informed him in the middle of the season that his toe tap with his left foot was illegal. He took time off to change his mechanics and struggled the rest of the way as he tried to adapt to his new delivery. He spent 2020 continuing to make adjustments at the alternate training site and earned his first major league callup in September, when he made four solid relief appearances.

SCOUTING REPORT: Murphy's fastball sat in the low-to-mid 90s as a starter and ticked up to 95-98 mph in relief in his debut. He likes to pitch up in the zone and to his arm side, though he tends to fly open in his delivery and has less success locating to his glove side. Murphy pairs his fastball with a power curveball that has slider-like velocity at 82-85 mph. It has a hard, sharp break and is a plus pitch at its best. Murphy has a below-average changeup and didn't throw it in the majors. His medical record includes Tommy John surgery, an operation for thoracic outlet syndrome and a surgery to reposition nerves in his pitching elbow early in his career.

THE FUTURE: Between his delivery, medical history and the way his powerful two-pitch mix has played up as a reliever, the bullpen may be the best place for Murphy. He could be a middle reliever with the upside to pitch in higher leverage situations.
TRACK RECORD: Murphy was in the midst of a strong stretch with Double-A New Hampshire heading into early June when umpires informed him that they determined the toe tap with his left foot in his delivery was illegal. Murphy stayed in the rotation, but he got knocked around in his next two starts, and even with time off to re-work his mechanics, he never got in sync trying to adjust to a new delivery.

SCOUTING REPORT: It was another setback for Murphy, who has had Tommy John surgery, an operation for thoracic outlet syndrome and another operation to reposition nerves in his pitching elbow. The delivery setback adds a lot of uncertainty to Murphy’s projection, but he has a power arm, sitting in the low-to-mid-90s with his fastball with the ability to dial it up to the upper 90s. He pairs it with a power curveball that has good shape, sharp bite and that he does a good job landing for strikes, flashing as a plus pitch. He throws a fringe-average change, but he’s primarily a fastball/breaking ball pitcher.

THE FUTURE: Murphy will try to regroup in 2020 and has a chance to be a back-end starter, though he could fit as a multi-inning reliever as well.
TRACK RECORD: Murphy was in the midst of a strong stretch with Double-A New Hampshire heading into early June when umpires informed him that they determined the toe tap with his left foot in his delivery was illegal. Murphy stayed in the rotation, but he got knocked around in his next two starts, and even with time off to re-work his mechanics, he never got in sync trying to adjust to a new delivery.

SCOUTING REPORT: It was another setback for Murphy, who has had Tommy John surgery, an operation for thoracic outlet syndrome and another operation to reposition nerves in his pitching elbow. The delivery setback adds a lot of uncertainty to Murphy's projection, but he has a power arm, sitting in the low-to-mid-90s with his fastball with the ability to dial it up to the upper 90s. He pairs it with a power curveball that has good shape, sharp bite and that he does a good job landing for strikes, flashing as a plus pitch. He throws a fringe-average change, but he's primarily a fastball/breaking ball pitcher.

THE FUTURE: Murphy will try to regroup in 2020 and has a chance to be a back-end starter, though he could fit as a multi-inning reliever as well.
Murphy was able to get his first taste of upper-level competition after pitching well in the high Class A Florida State League in 2018. While the righthander didn't fare well overall and spent three different stints on the injured list, Murphy was a warrior during day games. He allowed just 19 hits in 38 innings during daytime starts while striking out just over one batter per inning. Murphy's 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame is built for innings in the rotation. He repeats his delivery well and has a blazing fastball that will touch the upper 90s. It's a plus pitch and goes well with his potentially plus curveball, which he lands for strikes and features big, downward break. His changeup is a useable offering but doesn't project as plus. His arsenal and frame should get him starts at the back of the rotation for Toronto, and his velocity and breaking ball give him a solid fallback as a useful reliever.