Donnie Murphy Stats & Scouting Report

AB	838
AVG	.212
OBP	.279
SLG	.395
HR	33

Full name Donald Rex Murphy
Born 03/10/1983 in Lakewood, CA
Profile Ht.: 5'10" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Orange Coast CC
Debut 09/18/2004
Drafted in the 5th round (138th overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2002.

View Draft Report

Murphy wouldn't be eligible for this year's draft if he had gone to Long Beach State, but he was a non-qualifier and went to OCC instead. He doesn't run well, though the rest of his tools are playable. He has good shortstop actions and swings the bat in the same style as Atlanta's Keith Lockhart. His lack of raw power may not play if he is forced to another position, especially on a corner.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

A right ankle sprain sidelined Murphy in May, but he recovered and received extended big league time after Tony Graffanino was traded to the Red Sox in July. Murphy sputtered offensively in semi-regular duty before a broken right ring finger ended his season in late August. Murphy shows the discerning eye and gap power to profile as an offensive second baseman. He fields well enough with solid hands and a strong arm. The Royals believe his struggles in the majors came from dipping into survival mode rather than relaxing and playing his usual game. Murphy rotates his wrists to point his bat head toward first base before swinging, a hitch that makes him late on some fastballs and susceptible to offspeed pitches. He has limited range at second base and is a below-average runner. Murphy's arm is playable at third base and he ultimately could become a utility infielder, bowing to younger prospects Jeff Bianchi and Chris McConnell. After his disappointing big league stint, he'll open 2006 in Triple-A.
Scouts first took notice of Murphy at Orange Coast College in 2002 when they went to see teammate Matt Clanton, whom the Cubs took in the supplemental first round. Murphy has been a consistent run producer as a pro, with 201 RBIs in 322 minor league games. Murphy's offense is his strong suit. He has gap power and a solid approach at the plate. As a second baseman, he offers a strong arm and a good double-play pivot. Murphy hit .302 through June before falling into a .202 tailspin afterward. He needs to stop wiggling his hands before unloading on a pitch, because it makes his swing longer and forces him to commit sooner, leaving him vulnerable to pitchers who change speeds well. He can be a little pull-conscious. His below-average speed makes his range average at best. Murphy rates an edge over Ruben Gotay as the Royals' second baseman of the future because his athleticism makes him a better defender. He'll move up to Double-A in 2005. Murphy got a surprise September call up and should reach the majors to stay in 2006.
Murphy didn't qualify academically to play at Long Beach State in 2002, so he attended Orange Coast Junior College. He received plenty of exposure from scouts who flocked there to watch supplemental first-round pick Matt Clanton. Murphy's makeup, bat and stocky, short-legged build remind Royals officials of Marcus Giles, though he should have a better glove. Murphy has the bat to become a regular as an offense-first second baseman. He's a well-rounded hitter with a great approach and knowledge of the strike zone. He makes consistent contact and often waits longer on inside pitches before rapping them the opposite way. The ball jumps off his bat, leading scouts to project more power. Murphy's solid hands and plus arm strength allow him to make all the routine plays at second, and he isn't afraid of contact when turning the double play. Murphy is a below-average runner, so he must use his instincts and positioning to supplement his range. He must improve his footwork at second base. He should have enough bat if he has to move to third base. The Royals think Murphy is the safest bet of any of their middle-infield prospects to make the majors. He'll move up to high Class A in 2004.

Minor League Top Prospects

Managers loved few players more than Murphy. He doesn't have overwhelming tools, but he also has few weaknesses and gives 100 percent every day. His 98 RBIs trailed only Josh Barfield's 128 among minor league second baseman. "He's just a baseball player," Claus said. "He reminds me of Craig Biggio. His bat is his best tool. He has so much hitting ability, so much snap at contact, that the ball really comes off his bat. It's good, hard contact. His bat can carry him." The Biggio comparison was repeated around the MWL. Murphy doesn't have the speed Biggio had in his prime, but he's an average runner who can steal an occasional base. He also has a knack for making more plays at second base than his average range and arm would suggest.

Career Transactions

Colorado Springs Sky Sox released 2B Donnie Murphy.
Colorado Springs Sky Sox placed 2B Donnie Murphy on the 7-day disabled list.
Colorado Springs Sky Sox activated 2B Donnie Murphy from the 7-day disabled list.
Colorado Springs Sky Sox placed 2B Donnie Murphy on the 7-day disabled list.
2B Donnie Murphy assigned to Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent 2B Donnie Murphy to a minor league contract.
2B Donnie Murphy elected free agency.
Atlanta Braves signed free agent 2B Donnie Murphy to a minor league contract.
2B Donnie Murphy assigned to Gwinnett Braves.
Louisville Bats released 2B Donnie Murphy.
Louisville Bats placed 2B Donnie Murphy on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to July 31, 2014. lower back strain
2B Donnie Murphy assigned to Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds signed free agent 2B Donnie Murphy to a minor league contract.
Texas Rangers released 2B Donnie Murphy.
Texas Rangers designated 2B Donnie Murphy for assignment.
Texas Rangers activated 2B Donnie Murphy from the 15-day disabled list.
Texas Rangers sent 2B Donnie Murphy on a rehab assignment to Round Rock Express.
Texas Rangers placed 2B Donnie Murphy on the 15-day disabled list. Neck strain
Texas Rangers claimed 2B Donnie Murphy off waivers from Chicago Cubs.
Chicago Cubs selected the contract of 3B Donnie Murphy from Iowa Cubs.
Donnie Murphy roster status changed by Iowa Cubs.
Iowa Cubs placed 3B Donnie Murphy on the 7-day disabled list. Sprained left knee.
Chicago Cubs signed free agent 3B Donnie Murphy to a minor league contract.
3B Donnie Murphy assigned to Iowa Cubs.
Milwaukee Brewers released 3B Donnie Murphy.
Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent 3B Donnie Murphy to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
Donnie Murphy roster status changed by Miami Marlins.
Miami Marlins sent Donnie Murphy outright to New Orleans Zephyrs.
sent 3B Donnie Murphy on a rehab assignment to Jupiter Hammerheads.
Miami Marlins placed 3B Donnie Murphy on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to August 4, 2012. Left hamsring strain.
Miami Marlins selected the contract of 3B Donnie Murphy from New Orleans Zephyrs.
Miami Marlins sent Donnie Murphy outright to New Orleans Zephyrs.
Miami Marlins designated Donnie Murphy for assignment.
Florida Marlins activated 3B Donnie Murphy from the 60-day disabled list.
Jupiter Hammerheads sent 3B Donnie Murphy on a rehab assignment to New Orleans Zephyrs.
Donnie Murphy assigned to Jupiter Hammerheads.
Florida Marlins transferred 3B Donnie Murphy from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.
Florida Marlins placed 3B Donnie Murphy on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 30, 2011. Right wrist inflammation.
Florida Marlins selected the contract of Donnie Murphy from New Orleans Zephyrs.
Florida Marlins invited non-roster 3B Donnie Murphy to spring training.
Florida Marlins signed free agent Donnie Murphy.
3B Donnie Murphy elected free agency.
Florida Marlins placed 3B Donnie Murphy on the 60-day disabled list retroactive to September 2, 2010. Dislocated right wrist.
Florida Marlins selected the contract of 3B Donnie Murphy from New Orleans Zephyrs.
Donnie Murphy roster status changed by New Orleans Zephyrs.
New Orleans Zephyrs placed SS Donnie Murphy on the 7-day disabled list.
SS Donnie Murphy assigned to New Orleans Zephyrs from Florida Marlins.
Florida Marlins signed free agent SS Donnie Murphy to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
SS Donnie Murphy elected free agency.
Norfolk Tides activated SS Donnie Murphy from the 7-day disabled list.
Norfolk Tides placed SS Donnie Murphy on the 7-day disabled list.

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