'I'm trying to work through the middle of the plate': Red Sox prospect Chris Murphy talks about adjustments made in recent starts
Red Sox left-handed pitching prospect Chris Murphy was born in Mission Hills, California. He then went on to go to college at the University of San Diego.
You might guess that he is a fan of the… New York Jets?
That’s right. Murphy casually mentioned he was a Jets fan and that he was “not that worried about the NFL Draft because he has Aaron Rodgers on his team.”
Unlike Murphy, a few of his other WooSox teammates were all in on the draft and we got the chance to chat with them about their teams.
The Red Sox selected Murphy in the sixth round of the 2019 MLB Draft, and the lefty made quick work of the lower minors by getting the promotion to AAA during the 2022 season.
Murphy got off to a pretty slow start to begin the 2023 season. He gave up 13 hits, 10 earned runs, and only struck out 6 batters over his first two starts which only totaled about 4.1 innings pitched.
The next two starts were much better for the 24-year-old.
Murphy only gave up 8 hits, 3 earned runs, and struck out 10 batters over 10.2 innings pitched.
“I’m just trying to work through the middle of the plate instead of trying to nibble.” Murphy said about his better recent outings. “I have been working with our pitching coach, Paul Abbott. We have been talking about being more aggressive through the zone instead of thinking about corners and nibbling with two strikes. I have to go at guys early and late in counts, whatever it is”
The walks have been uncharacteristic of Murphy so far in 2023, who carries a minor league career 3.8 BB/9, yet to is beginning the season with a 7.2 BB/9 through four starts.
“The cutter, fastball, and changeup weren’t there on my last start so I relied heavily on the curveball.” Murphy added about his last start against Scranton. “If that’s the day that three pitches aren’t working and one is and I can still go four and two thirds and give up one, then I am pretty happy about that.”
The secondary pitches will be the story of Murphy’s development, as he isn’t the type of pitcher who is going to hit 100 MPH.
“It’s about competing with what I have that day.” Murphy said. “I didn’t have the cutter working the way I wanted to my last time out. I got some swings on it, but it wasn’t as consistent as I wanted it to be. The changeup wasn’t consistent, and neither was the fastball, so it’s about picking up and moving forward and working on those in my next bullpen and continuing to just compete on the mound.”
One big perk of starting the year in Worcester has been the access of being around the numerous amounts of big leaguers on rehab assignments. We have seen Garrett Whitlock, Brayan Bello, James Paxton and Chris Martin suit up for the WooSox so far this season.
Fellow left-handed prospect Brandon Walter touched on the impact a few of the major leaguers have had on him this year.
“it’s one of those things that you watch how they pitch. Whether you’re asking them questions, focusing on what they do, watching them on tv, or going out there and watching them during the game about how they pick apart hitters because they are big leaguers and they are the best at what they do.” Murphy said on the veteran presence in the locker room. “I have been watching James Paxton and how he attacks guys. When he has success, I see what he is doing to hitters. That’s what I have been doing and trying to add to my game.”
Murphy is currently ranked as the 17th best prospect in the Red Sox organization and the 7th best pitching prospect, according to SoxProspects. Murphy also finds himself on the Red Sox 40-man roster as a potential candidate for a late season call-up.
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