Tom Murphy

Murphy was playing against USA Baseball's college team for the New England Collegiate League when he caught scouts' eyes, turning on a fastball from Louisiana State righthander Kevin Gausman that went about 400 feet foul. Gausman came back with a slider that Murhpy waited on and launched over Fenway Park's Green Monster for a home run. Team USA then picked him up for five games against Japan, before he returned to Holyoke to finish with a .291/.364/.575 line. Murphy is a good athlete with a strong frame at 6-foot-1, 210 pounds. He runs well for a catcher, turning in a 6.75-second 60-yard dash last summer. He got off to a good start for Buffalo, though he tailed off at the plate and hasn't put up the numbers scouts hoped for and was hitting .250 in 116 at-bats against righthanders. He has good raw power and doesn't project to hit for much average, but will be an asset thanks to his solid defense. He has a plus arm and made strides behind the plate this season.