Murphy has a 2.87 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 26:4 K:BB over his last three starts (15.2 innings) for Single-A Augusta.
The 20th overall pick in last year's draft, Murphy had a rough six-start stretch from mid-May through mid-June where he had a 7.78 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 20:12 K:BB in 19.2 innings, so it's encouraging to see him right the ship. This recent hot stretch included an eight-strikeout game and a 12-strikeout game, which are his top strikeout performances to date as a pro.
Murphy has yet to give up a run with an 11:3 K:BB through two starts and 7.1 innings for Single-A Augusta.
The right-hander won't turn 20 until September, but Murphy has lived up to his first-round pedigree to begin his first full pro season. Atlanta is hoping his athleticism -- he was a two-way player in high school -- will lead to plus command down the road and let his four-pitch mix, highlighted by a low-90s fastball with good movement and a potentially plus curve, play up. Murphy likely won't be rushed through the system given his age, but if everything comes together for him, in a few years he could emerge as a stingy mid-rotation option along the lines of a pre-injury Michael Soroka.
