Owen Murphy

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #4 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record: The Braves made Murphy one of the next in their long line of two-way players when they selected him 20th overall and signed him to a bonus just over $2.5 million in 2022. He also excelled on the football field and as a shortstop at Riverside-Brookfield High in suburban Chicago. After a limited pro debut in 2022, Murphy had a sound first full season in 2023 at Low-A Augusta, reaching High-A Rome for three starts. He was one of just 10 teenage pitchers to throw at least 80 innings, and of that group his 29.6% strikeout rate and 21.2 K-BB% were the highest.
  
  Scouting Report: Murphy’s fastball velocity backed up in 2023, but the pitch is still one of the better heaters in the organization given its spin characteristics and riding life. He averaged 90-91 mph and touched 94, but he averages more than 19 inches of induced vertical break from a lower attack angle and because of that generates lots of swings and misses at the top of the zone. He threw his fastball for strikes at a strong 68% clip. He throws a low-80s slider and a mid-70s curveball that both have above-average potential and impressive spin. The Braves were especially excited about the progress he made with his slider and noted that he threw it for strikes at a strong 71% clip. His curveball has more depth but is in the zone less frequently. Murphy took a step forward with his control and walked just 8.4% of batters and works with a relatively clean and athletic delivery.
  
  The Future: With a strong full season under this belt, Murphy’s next task will be to add more power to all of his pitches. He should get a chance at Double-A in 2024 with sustained performance, and he has No. 3 or No. 4 starter upside potential.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Control: 55
• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #2 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Murphy ranked as the No. 45 prospect in the 2022 draft class thanks to his impressive pure stuff and natural athleticism. He was also a star football player and legitimate prospect as a shortstop. The Braves drafted Murphy 20th overall and signed him to a bonus just over $2.5 million--hoping he would follow in their long line of successfully developed former two-way players. Murphy pitched in Rookie ball and with Low-A Augusta for 12 combined innings after signing.
  
  Scouting Report: A 6-foot-1, 190-pound righthander, Murphy has a strong foundation as a strike-thrower and a four-pitch mix, though the Braves will likely have him focus on his fastball, curveball and slider during his first full season as a pitcher. His fastball sits in the low 90s and touches 94-95 mph at peak velocity, with high spin rates of 2,500-2,600 rpm and impressive carry. He had more than 19 inches of induced vertical break on the pitch in his brief pro debut. Murphy throws a hammer curveball in the upper 70s that earned plus grades from amateur scouts, and he also threw a hard, slider/cutter in high school in the mid 80s. The Braves are turning that slider into more of a gyro-slider--the same slider Spencer Strider employed to great effect--and will have him scrap an infrequently used but promising 80 mph changeup, at least initially. Atlanta has praised Murphy's makeup and control, and believe he has a good chance to profile as a starter.
  
  The Future: Murphy will likely begin the 2023 season at Low-A Augusta, where he will work on getting adjusted to the rigors of a pro schedule and full-time pitching role. He has the stuff and polish to move relatively quickly--particularly given his multi-sport and two-way background--and has No. 3 or 4 starter upside.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Curveball: 60. Slider: 50. Changeup: 45. Control: 55

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #45 prospect in 2022 draft
  School: Riverside-Brookfield HS, Riverside, Ill. Committed/Drafted: Notre Dame
  Age At Draft: 18.8
  BA Grade: 55/Extreme
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: - | Changeup: 50 | Cutter: 50 | Control: 55
  A two-way player as well as a star on the gridiron, Illinois prep product Owen Murphy opened eyes last fall as one of the top arms for Team USA’s 18U National Team. The athletic, 6-foot-1 195-pound hurler began where he left off last fall and cemented his name as a potential top-two round pick this spring with dominating performances and plus stuff that will only improve in time. Murphy uses a simple delivery that gains momentum as he progresses. With a loose, quick takeback, he releases his pitches from a three-quarter slot, landing on-line with good extension over his front side. The product out of his hand is live. Murphy’s fastball sat 91-94, presenting itself much firmer up in the zone due to high spin. Murphy loves to challenge hitters with his “No. 1” as it also serves as his go-to pitch in the clutch. Complementing his fastball is an 11-to-5 hard-breaking slurve that sits in the 76-80 mph range. Flashing plus, Murphy’s breaking ball will serve as his primary offspeed weapon moving forward as he possesses the ability to land it for a strike as well as intensifying the break to notch the punchout. There are two other offspeed pitches Murphy has tucked away in his arsenal, but he’s rarely used either this spring due to dominance with his fastball and curveball. He will flash an 84-86 mph cutter that presents like a slider at times, varying in plane and shorter three-quarter break. His changeup is also present at 78-82 mph, thrown mostly in his warm-up pitches. Evaluators have stated the traditional down-and-away movement is there when timed up as it appears to have the makings of at least a solid-average offering when fully developed. Murphy’s ability to attack in the zone, accompanied with his highly competitive nature, gives him a starter profile. The Notre Dame commit has put himself in a favorable spot on draft boards heading into July.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Murphy ranked as the No. 45 prospect in the 2022 draft class thanks to his impressive pure stuff and natural athleticism. He was also a star football player and legitimate prospect as a shortstop. The Braves drafted Murphy 20th overall and signed him to a bonus just over $2.5 million--hoping he would follow in their long line of successfully developed former two-way players. Murphy pitched in Rookie ball and with Low-A Augusta for 12 combined innings after signing.
  
  Scouting Report: A 6-foot-1, 190-pound righthander, Murphy has a strong foundation as a strike-thrower and a four-pitch mix, though the Braves will likely have him focus on his fastball, curveball and slider during his first full season as a pitcher. His fastball sits in the low 90s and touches 94-95 mph at peak velocity, with high spin rates of 2,500-2,600 rpm and impressive carry. He had more than 19 inches of induced vertical break on the pitch in his brief pro debut. Murphy throws a hammer curveball in the upper 70s that earned plus grades from amateur scouts, and he also threw a hard, slider/cutter in high school in the mid 80s. The Braves are turning that slider into more of a gyro-slider--the same slider Spencer Strider employed to great effect--and will have him scrap an infrequently used but promising 80 mph changeup, at least initially. Atlanta has praised Murphy's makeup and control, and believe he has a good chance to profile as a starter.
  
  The Future: Murphy will likely begin the 2023 season at Low-A Augusta, where he will work on getting adjusted to the rigors of a pro schedule and full-time pitching role. He has the stuff and polish to move relatively quickly--particularly given his multi-sport and two-way background--and has No. 3 or 4 starter upside.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Curveball: 60. Slider: 50. Changeup: 45. Control: 55
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Murphy ranked as the No. 45 prospect in the 2022 draft class thanks to his impressive pure stuff and natural athleticism. He was also a star football player and legitimate prospect as a shortstop. The Braves drafted Murphy 20th overall and signed him to a bonus just over $2.5 million--hoping he would follow in their long line of successfully developed former two-way players. Murphy pitched in Rookie ball and with Low-A Augusta for 12 combined innings after signing.
  
  Scouting Report: A 6-foot-1, 190-pound righthander, Murphy has a strong foundation as a strike-thrower and a four-pitch mix, though the Braves will likely have him focus on his fastball, curveball and slider during his first full season as a pitcher. His fastball sits in the low 90s and touches 94-95 mph at peak velocity, with high spin rates of 2,500-2,600 rpm and impressive carry. He had more than 19 inches of induced vertical break on the pitch in his brief pro debut. Murphy throws a hammer curveball in the upper 70s that earned plus grades from amateur scouts, and he also threw a hard, slider/cutter in high school in the mid 80s. The Braves are turning that slider into more of a gyro-slider--the same slider Spencer Strider employed to great effect--and will have him scrap an infrequently used but promising 80 mph changeup, at least initially. Atlanta has praised Murphy's makeup and control, and believe he has a good chance to profile as a starter.
  
  The Future: Murphy will likely begin the 2023 season at Low-A Augusta, where he will work on getting adjusted to the rigors of a pro schedule and full-time pitching role. He has the stuff and polish to move relatively quickly--particularly given his multi-sport and two-way background--and has No. 3 or 4 starter upside.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Curveball: 60. Slider: 50. Changeup: 45. Control: 55
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 55/Extreme
  
  August Update: A two-way player as well as a star on the gridiron, Illinois prep product Owen Murphy opened eyes last fall as one of the top arms for Team USA’s 18U National Team. The athletic, 6-foot-1 195-pound hurler began where he left off last fall and cemented his name as a potential top-two round pick this spring with dominating performances and plus stuff that will only improve in time. Murphy uses a simple delivery that gains momentum as he progresses. With a loose, quick takeback, he releases his pitches from a three-quarter slot, landing on-line with good extension over his front side. The product out of his hand is live. Murphy’s fastball sat 91-94, presenting itself much firmer up in the zone due to high spin. Murphy loves to challenge hitters with his “No. 1” as it also serves as his go-to pitch in the clutch. Complementing his fastball is an 11-to-5 hard-breaking slurve that sits in the 76-80 mph range. Flashing plus, Murphy’s breaking ball will serve as his primary offspeed weapon moving forward as he possesses the ability to land it for a strike as well as intensifying the break to notch the punchout. There are two other offspeed pitches Murphy has tucked away in his arsenal, but he’s rarely used either this spring due to dominance with his fastball and curveball. He will flash an 84-86 mph cutter that presents like a slider at times, varying in plane and shorter three-quarter break. His changeup is also present at 78-82 mph, thrown mostly in his warm-up pitches. Evaluators have stated the traditional down-and-away movement is there when timed up as it appears to have the makings of at least a solid-average offering when fully developed. Murphy’s ability to attack in the zone, accompanied with his highly competitive nature, gives him a starter profile. Murphy signed with the Braves for $2,556,900 after being slected 20th overall.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Curveball: 60. Changeup: 50. Cutter: 50. Control: 55.