In 2021, Red Sox prospect Chris Murphy moved closer to the majors. While his numbers didn’t jump off the page, he continued to improve his game. In a system full of talent, the former sixth-round pick stood out. As the minor league season draws closer, he is expected to begin the 2022 campaign two calls away from Fenway Park.
Through 31 games in the minors, Murphy has posted a 3.74 ERA and struck out 161 batters. He has held opponents to a .230 batting average while recording eight wins. Due to his success, Murphy is currently the Red Sox’s 11th best prospect. However, as his workload tripled last season, Murphy showed that he does have some areas to improve on.
In 101.1 innings of work, Murphy allowed 21 home runs. Against more advanced competition, he struggled with control. While he was able to hold opponents to a low average, the 23-year-old’s walk rate increased. Although Murphy finished the season with a 4.62 ERA, he showed a few impressive signs.
After having an unexpected year off due to the pandemic, Murphy posted a 30.2 percent strikeout rate in 2021. It was the highest of his career and showed how his arsenal has improved. The lefthander possesses a fastball that tops out at 96 miles per hour and a curveball with good depth. His best secondary pitch is a slider which has improved throughout his professional career. Murphy does not have one plus pitch, but he does have a deceptive delivery.
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What to expect from Murphy in 2022
While the 2022 season is full of uncertainty, Murphy’s MLB debut is projected to come at some point this summer. He is the Red Sox’s second-best left-handed pitching prospect and has not been afraid of attacking hitters. That is due to a change in approach during his pro career.
“The first thing the pitching coordinator told me when I got here was you shouldn’t throw a fastball below the belt,” Murphy said. “Throw your fastball up in the zone and you can throw your off-speed pitches for strikes and you can throw your fastball even higher with two strikes and guys will swing. I’ve taken that and run and that’s where my development has gone.”
Although Murphy posted a 5.45 ERA in Double-A, he only made six starts. In 2022, he will be looking to limit home runs and baserunners. If he can improve in both areas, he could be a valuable depth piece when injuries in the majors inevitably arise. With the minor league season only weeks away, Murphy will be an intriguing player to watch.
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