Tom Murphy

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #12 prospect in 2018
  Murphy was in line to be the Rockies' starting catcher on Opening Day 2017, but on a throw to second base during a spring training game he hit the bat of Cubs' Anthony Rizzo and fractured his right forearm. He did not make his season debut with the Rockies until June 15, was sent down for more playing time at Triple-A two weeks later, and made only four appearances when he was called up in September with the Rockies riding Jonathan Lucroy down the stretch in their playoff run. The only player ever drafted out of the University at Buffalo, Murphy remains the Rockies' top catching prospect. He had worked to soften his hands in receiving and made strides with his agility despite a muscular frame that has slowed him down at times. He has above-average arm strength and is continually working to improve. Murphy is mostly a threat at the plate, with above-average power with solid rhythm and timing in his swing that allows him to tap into his power. With Lucroy leaving as a free agent, Murphy has a chance to claim the Rockies' starting catching job in 2018, just as he was expected to before he got hurt in 2017.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #7 prospect in 2017
  A September callup in 2015 and 2016, Murphy has impressed with eight homers in 79 at-bats. Healthy since an injury-plagued 2014 that included season-ending shoulder surgery, Murphy earned his 2016 callup with an explosive second half at Triple-A Albuquerque. He raised his average 119 points and hit 11 home runs in the final two months. The Rockies see Murphy as a plus offensive player who can hit in the bottom of the lineup while he adjusts to life in the big leagues. He's a rhythm hitter who can get hot and has above-average power thanks to his great strength. What has the Rockies most excited is the work Murphy has put in to improve his defense. He has softened his hands in his receiving, which helps him frame pitches. He has an above-average arm to slow down the running game. Some scouts worry about a lack of agility behind the plate due to his muscular frame, and that at times slows his pop times on throws to second base as well. He can still fine-tune his defense, and seems eager to do that. The time is now for Murphy, who convinced the Rockies he is ready to compete for the regular big league job with Tony Wolters. If everything comes together, Murphy has the potential to be an offensively potent catcher with above-average defensive ability.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #7 prospect in 2016
  Murphy arrived at Double-A at the end of 2013, his first full season. He played just 27 games there in 2014, however, before a right rotator cuff strain cut his season short. The injury didn't require surgery, and Murphy showed few ill effects in 2015, when he continued his quick trajectory through the system. He smashed 20 home runs between Double-A New Britain and Triple-A Albuquerque--despite missing time to play for USA Baseball in the Pan American Games--en route to a September callup. Murphy could be a difference-maker on both sides of the ball. He generates plus power--particularly to his pull side--with a short uppercut swing that makes him a home-run threat whenever he steps to the plate. He might never hit for a high average, because he has a fringe-average hit tool, but he has more than enough bat for his position. Murphy threw out 39 percent of basestealers at New Britain, controlling the running game with a strong and accurate arm and quick release. He has above-average receiving and blocking skills and has shown he can handle a pitching staff. Scouts rave about his makeup. Murphy has a high floor and projects to be an everyday catcher with power. He should be a factor at the big league level in 2016.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #6 prospect in 2015
  Murphy is the fifth catcher the Rockies have taken as high as the third round since they began drafting in 1992. After beginning his first full season in 2013 at low Class A Asheville, he played his final 20 games of that season at Double-A Tulsa. He returned there in 2014, only to have his season end May 15 due to a right rotator cuff strain. Murphy avoided surgery and was at full strength toward the end of the season, but the Rockies decided not to risk playing him and having him enter the offseason in a rehab mode. Murphy is exceptionally strong and can impact a game on both sides of the ball. He has well above-average arm strength, an aggressive transfer and possesses above-average accuracy and receiving and blocking skills. Murphy is a leader who commands both the clubhouse and the pitching staff. He has a short, simple swing that generates plus power to all fields but needs to improve his strike-zone awareness and plate discipline. With his bat speed and strength, Murphy was looking to pull the ball too often early in the season, which made him vulnerable to pitches on the outer portion of the plate. Murphy likely will return to Tulsa to begin 2015, but with a few good months could move to Triple-A Albuquerque. The Rockies project him to be an everyday catcher, giving them an upgrade over Wilin Rosario.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #7 prospect in 2014
  Murphy signed for $454,000 after becoming the fifth catcher the Rockies have taken as high as the third round since they began drafting in 1992, a group that includes Ben Petrick (second round, 1995), Jeff Winchester (supplemental first, 1998) and third-rounders Josh Bard (1999), Lars Davis (2007) and Pete O'Brien (2011), who didn't sign. Murphy began his first full season at low Class A Asheville and earned a promotion in August to Double-A Tulsa. He generates a lot of power with a short, simple swing and good strength. He has solid plate discipline for a young power hitter but doesn't run well enough or have enough feel to project for a high average. He's a bulwark behind the plate and has an above-average arm and soft hands. He threw out 28 percent of basestealers on the season. Murphy receives and blocks the ball well, provides a low target and sets up well. He needs to experience game situations to grow in subtle areas such as implementing a scouting report and altering it as needed during a game. Murphy will likely return to Double-A to start the season but could reach the big leagues as quickly as 2014. The Rockies project him as an everyday catcher who could help them push incumbent Wilin Rosario, who has defensive shortcomings, to an outfield corner.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #14 prospect in 2013
  Signed for $454,000 as a third-round pick in 2012, Murphy is just the fifth catcher the Rockies have selected that high since they began drafting in 1992. They took Ben Petrick in the second round in 1995, Jeff Winchester as a supplemental first-round pick in 1998, and in the third round have taken Josh Bard (1999), Lars Davis (2007) and Pete O'Brien (2011), who didn't sign. Murphy's best tool is his power, which isn't evident from his six homers because Gesa Stadium, where short-season Tri-City plays, is a pronounced pitcher's park. He has the upside to hit 25 homers annually in the big leagues and won't be an all-or-nothing type. Murphy has a short, compact swing and because of his good strike-zone awareness, he doesn't strike out excessively for a young power hitter. He needs to get better at recognizing and hitting breaking pitches, but he's not overmatched by them. Murphy is a physical presence behind the plate and has an above-average arm but needs work on all nuances of his defense. He threw out just 21 percent of basestealers in his pro debut. In instructional league, he did a much better job taking charge behind the plate. He could bypass Asheville and begin his first full pro season in high Class A.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #65 prospect in 2012 draft
  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.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Northwest League #5 prospect in 2012
  Murphy enjoyed a breakout 2011 summer in the New England Collegiate League and with Team USA, putting his name on scouting directors' must-see list. He followed up by hitting 13 homers as a junior, becoming the highest-drafted player to come out of Buffalo since 1983 and continuing to produce at Tri-City. As with Zunino, Murphy's best tool is his plus power and he can do a little bit of everything. He has a good feel for hitting and runs well for a catcher. He has the hands and solid arm strength to be an asset behind the plate, though he threw out 21 just percent of NWL basestealers. "He's a physical kid. He's well put together with natural strength," Rockies farm director Jeff Bridich said. "He looks like he has a chance to develop into an offensive catcher."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #97 prospect in 2016

• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: A September callup in 2015 and 2016, Murphy has impressed with eight homers in 79 at-bats. Healthy since an injury-plagued 2014 that included season-ending shoulder surgery, Murphy earned his 2016 callup with an explosive second half at Triple-A Albuquerque. He raised his average 119 points and hit 11 home runs in the final two months. Scouting Report: The Rockies see Murphy as a plus offensive player who can hit in the bottom of the lineup while he adjusts to life in the big leagues. He's a rhythm hitter who can get hot and has above-average power thanks to his great strength. What has the Rockies most excited is the work Murphy has put in to improve his defense. He has softened his hands in his receiving, which helps him frame pitches. He has an above-average arm to slow down the running game. Some scouts worry about a lack of agility behind the plate due to his muscular frame, and that at times slows his pop times on throws to second base as well. He can still fine-tune his defense, and seems eager to do that.
  
  The Future: The time is now for Murphy, who convinced the Rockies he is ready to compete for the regular big league job with Tony Wolters. If everything comes together, Murphy has the potential to be an offensively potent catcher with above-average defensive ability.