Tom Murphy (catcher)

Last updated

Tom Murphy
Tom Murphy (cropped).jpg
Murphy with the Colorado Rockies in 2018
Free agent
Catcher
Born: (1991-04-03) April 3, 1991 (age 34)
West Monroe, New York, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 12, 2015, for the Colorado Rockies
Men's baseball
Representing Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Pan American Games
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2015 Toronto Team

Thomas James Murphy Jr. (born April 3, 1991) is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies, Seattle Mariners, and San Francisco Giants. Prior to playing professionally, Murphy played college baseball for the University at Buffalo.

Contents

Amateur career

Murphy attended Paul V. Moore High School in Central Square, New York. He had a .510 batting average in his senior year for the school's baseball team and was honored as All-Central New York (CNY) and the CNY Athlete of the Year. [1] In high school, Murphy was recruited to play college baseball at Buffalo, St. John’s, Michigan, Wagner, Le Moyne, and Monmouth. [2]

Murphy ultimately committed to play for the University at Buffalo. [3] In the summer of 2010, he played summer baseball with the Oneonta Outlaws of the New York Collegiate Baseball League. [4] In 2011, he was named the Mid-American Conference Baseball Player of the Year after leading the conference with a .384 batting average. [5] That summer, he played for the Holyoke Blue Sox of the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) and hit a home run off of Kevin Gausman over the Green Monster at Fenway Park against the United States collegiate national team in the NECBL All-Star Game. [6] [7]

Professional career

Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies selected Murphy in the third round, with the 105th overall selection of the 2012 MLB draft. [8] That summer, he played for the Tri-City Dust Devils of the Low-A Northwest League.

In 2013, Murphy played for the Asheville Tourists of the Single-A South Atlantic League (SAL), where he was named SAL Hitter of the Week for the week of April 29 through May 5. [9] [10] He received a mid-year promotion to the Tulsa Drillers of the Double-A Texas League. [11] In 2014, Murphy returned to Tulsa, but was limited to 27 games as a result of a shoulder injury.

Murphy began the 2015 season with the Rockies' new Double-A affiliate, the New Britain Rock Cats of the Eastern League. [12] He was chosen to play for the United States national team in the 2015 Pan American Games. [13] [14] Following the Pan American Games, the Rockies promoted Murphy to the Albuquerque Isotopes of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. [15] Murphy was mentored in the minors by catcher Nick Hundley. [16]

The Rockies promoted Murphy to the major leagues on September 11, 2015. [17] he made his MLB debut on September 12 against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. [18] Murphy hit his first MLB home run on September 19 at Coors Field off San Diego Padres pitcher Marcos Mateo. [19] Prior to the 2016 season, Baseball America ranked him the 97th best prospect in baseball. [20] He missed substantial time during the 2016 season due to an oblique injury suffered at the end of spring training. [21] He suffered a broken arm in spring training in 2017. [22] He returned to the majors in mid-June. [23] He batted 1-for-24 for the Rockies in 12 games, benched or in the minors in favor of other catchers, including the newly acquired Jonathan Lucroy. [24] [25] Murphy started 2018 in the Triple-A and was promoted to the Rockies on June 12. [26] He hit a pinch-hit, go-ahead home run to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 21, [27] He was one of three catchers on the roster, sharing time with Chris Iannetta and Tony Wolters. [28] However, he was sent down to Triple-A on August 8, as the Rockies dropped to two catchers. [29] He returned in September, working mostly as a pinch hitter. In his rookie season, he hit .226 with two home runs and 11 RBI, but struck out in 44 of his 96 plate appearances. [30] In spring training in 2019, the Rockies again settled on Iannetta and Wolters at catcher, waiving Murphy on March 23. [31]

Seattle Mariners

The San Francisco Giants claimed Murphy off waivers on March 25, 2019. [32] Three days later, he was designated for assignment after failing to make the Opening Day roster. [33] The next day, the Giants traded Murphy to the Seattle Mariners for reliever Jesus Ozoria. [34] Murphy excelled with Seattle, as he set career highs offensively including hitting 18 home runs and driving in 40 RBI in 75 games. Murphy missed the entire 2020 season, staying on the injured list with a fractured metatarsal in his left foot. [35]

In 2021, Murphy appeared in a career-high 97 games, hitting .202/.304/.350 with 11 home runs and 34 RBI. The following season, he made 14 appearances for the Mariners, hitting .303/.439/.455 with one home run and one RBI. On June 23, 2022, it was announced that Murphy would require season-ending surgery to repair a shoulder injury. [36]

On January 13, 2023, Murphy agreed to a one-year, $1.625 million contract with the Mariners, avoiding salary arbitration. [37] After serving as the starting catcher in 2019 and 2021 and being injured in his other two years with the Mariners, he entered his final season in Seattle as the clear backup to Cal Raleigh. [38] His season ended after injuring his thumb while catching a foul tip. The initial diagnosis of a displaced tendon was changed to a fracture. In 47 games, he batted. 290 with 8 home runs. [39] [40] [41]

San Francisco Giants

On December 23, 2023, Murphy signed a two-year, $8.25 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. [42] [40] He hit .118 in 13 games for the Giants before suffering a knee injury while chasing down a wild pitch on May 4, 2024. [43] He was diagnosed with a left knee sprain [44] and ruled out for 4-to-6 weeks, [45] which necessitated a move to the 60-day injured list on May 15. He would not play any more games on his contract with the Giants. [46] [47]

On March 27, 2025, Murphy returned to on the 60-day injured list with a herniated disc in his back. [48] He missed the entire 2025 season and rehabilitated at home in New York. He said in August that his injury had been mishandled and that he had received an epidural in the wrong disc in his back, hampering his recovery. [49] The Giants declined the 2026 option on Murphy's contract on November 3, paying him a $250,000 buyout and making him a free agent. [50]

International career

Murphy played for the U.S. collegiate national team for four games in 2011, [2] going hitless as a designated hitter and pinch hitter in 8 at bats. He also played against the national team, homering off Kevin Gausman in Fenway Park in a win for the New England Collegiate Baseball League All-Stars. [51] [6]

Murphy played for the U.S. national team at the 2015 Pan Am Games, a team consisting largely of Minor League Baseball players. [52] Pitcher Nate Smith praised Murphy's catching as the U.S. limited Cuba to one hit in a semifinal win. [53] In the championship game, Murphy could not hold onto a throw from Tyler Pastornicky during a play at the plate, allowing Canada's Pete Orr to score the title-winning run. [54] [55] Murphy started 10 games for the U.S., batting .324 with two doubles, two triples, and one defensive error. [56]

Personal life

Murphy was raised by his parents in West Monroe, New York. [57] The family are fans of the New York Yankees. [6] He has a brother. [2]

Murphy and his wife have three children and reside in Constantia, New York. [58] [41] [16]

Murphy has blue eyes, which San Francisco pitcher Mason Black said "definitely stare into your soul". He is also known as an intense baseball player. [16] [41]

References

  1. ↑ "Murphy slays a monster". Oswego County Weeklies. October 17, 2011. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 "Tom Murphy - Buffalo". University at Buffalo Athletics . Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  3. ↑ Harrington, Mike (June 30, 2021). "Tom Murphy returns with Mariners to a place he never played while at UB". The Buffalo News . Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  4. ↑ "PGCBL Pro Alumni" (PDF). Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  5. ↑ "UB's Murphy wins top honor in MAC baseball". The Buffalo News. May 28, 2011. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 King, Tom (June 28, 2011). "Tom Murphy of Holyoke Blue Sox blasts one over the Green Monster as Team NECBL downs Team USA". masslive . Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  7. ↑ Gleason, Bucky (April 24, 2012). "One at-bat puts catcher on the radar". The Buffalo News . Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Murphy of UB drafted by Rockies - Sports". The Buffalo News. June 6, 2012. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  9. ↑ Ballew, Bill (May 23, 2013). "SAL notes: Rox's Murphy embraces role". Minor League Baseball . Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  10. ↑ Lee, David (May 11, 2013). "Asheville catcher Tom Murphy makes organization look good". The Augusta Chronicle. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  11. ↑ Dykstra, Sam (January 1, 2013). "Butler, Herrera break out for Rockies". Minor League Baseball . Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  12. ↑ Forde, Craig (July 7, 2015). "Eastern League notes: Healthy Colorado Rockies prospect Tom Murphy powering New Britain Rock Cats". Minor League Baseball . Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Rock Cats catcher Tom Murphy named to USA Baseball roster". MiLB.com. June 30, 2015.
  14. ↑ Klajman, Ed (July 19, 2015). "Murphy finds heartbreak in baseball final". The Buffalo News . Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Tom Murphy College & Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  16. 1 2 3 Slusser, Susan (March 14, 2024). "Giants' catcher Tom Murphy serves up intensity behind and on the plate". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on March 17, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Valley Blue Sox alum Tommy Murphy called up by Colorado Rockies". MassLive.com. September 11, 2015. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
  18. ↑ Groke, Nick (September 13, 2015). "Rockies' manager Walt Weiss unsure of lineup against Clayton Kershaw". Denver Post . Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  19. ↑ Groke, Nick (September 19, 2015). "Rockies pound Padres behind Christian Bergman, dodge 100-loss season". Denver Post . Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Top 100 Prospects". Baseball America . February 13, 2016. Archived from the original on February 14, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  21. ↑ Saunders, Patrick (September 2, 2016). "Tom Murphy and Raimel Tapia called up by Rockies". Denver Post . Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  22. ↑ Groke, Nick (March 14, 2017). "Rockies catcher Tom Murphy has a broken arm as Colorado injuries continue to mount". The Denver Post. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Rockies call-up slugger Tom Murphy and their catching corps is now intact; Carlos Gonzalez sits again". The Denver Post. June 15, 2017. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Tom Murphy Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball Reference. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  25. ↑ Kane, Hayden (October 14, 2017). "Rockies catcher Tom Murphy took a step back in 2017". Purple Row. SB Nation. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Rockies recall catcher Tom Murphy from Triple-A Albuquerque". MLB.com. June 12, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  27. ↑ Romero, Jose M. "Murphy's HR lifts Rockies past D-backs". Pueblo Chieftain. Associated Press. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  28. ↑ Saunders, Patrick (August 4, 2018). "Journal: Tom Murphy emerging as Rockies' primary catcher, but questions remain". The Denver Post. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  29. ↑ Harding, Thomas (August 8, 2018). "Murphy optioned; Rockies down to 2 catchers". MLB.com. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Tom Murphy 2018 Batting Game Logs". Baseball Reference. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  31. ↑ Harding, Thomas (March 24, 2019). "Rockies place catcher Murphy on waivers". MLB.com. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  32. ↑ McDonald, Jerry (March 25, 2019). "Giants continue search for catching depth, claim Tom Murphy". Mercury News. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  33. ↑ "San Francisco Giants set Opening Day roster, DFA Mac Williamson, Alen Hanson and Tom Murphy". 95.7 The Game. March 28, 2019.
  34. ↑ "Mariners trade for San Francisco Giants catcher Tom Murphy". Tacoma News Tribune. March 14, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  35. ↑ Divish, Ryan (July 22, 2020). "Mariners leaving summer camp without services of catcher Tom Murphy". The Seattle Times . Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  36. ↑ "Mariners' Tom Murphy: Requires season-ending surgery". CBS Sports. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  37. ↑ Dierkes, Tim (January 14, 2023). "2023 MLB Arbitration Tracker". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
  38. ↑ Jude, Adam (March 17, 2023). "Partnership of Cal Raleigh, Tom Murphy gives Mariners 'real advantage' at catcher". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  39. ↑ Divish, Ryan (September 11, 2023). "Mariners in wait-and-see mode on backup catcher Tom Murphy". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  40. 1 2 "Report: Giants sign former Seattle Mariners catcher Tom Murphy". Seattle Sports . Associated Press. December 18, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  41. 1 2 3 San Francisco Giants 2025 Media Guide. 2025. pp. 156–158.
  42. ↑ Guardado, Maria (December 23, 2023). "Giants, Murphy officially agree to two-year deal". MLB.com. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  43. ↑ "Giants' Tom Murphy: Exits with apparent knee injury". CBS Sports. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  44. ↑ "Giants' Tom Murphy: Lands on injured list". CBS Sports. May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  45. ↑ "Giants' Tom Murphy: Out 4-to-6 weeks". CBS Sports. May 6, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  46. ↑ Pavlovic, Alex (May 15, 2024). "Giants sign old friend Curt Casali to fill void at catcher". NBC Sports Bay Area . Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  47. ↑ "Tom Murphy 2024 Batting Game Logs". Baseball Reference. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  48. ↑ Franco, Anthony (March 26, 2025). "Giants Select Christian Koss". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  49. ↑ Slusser, Susan (August 30, 2025). "Giants catcher Tom Murphy claims malpractice over handling of injury: 'Absolute nightmare'". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  50. ↑ Guardado, Maria (November 3, 2025). "Murphy's injury-plagued stint over as SF declines '26 option". MLB.com. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  51. ↑ "2011 USA Collegiate National Team Box Scores" (PDF). USA Baseball .
  52. ↑ Morosi, Jon Paul (January 21, 2014). "Sources: MLB to allow minor leaguers to play in Pan American Games". FOX Sports. Archived from the original on January 24, 2015. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  53. ↑ "U.S. one-hits Cuba at Pan Ams, 5-2". Cuba Si. July 13, 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  54. ↑ Caple, Jim (July 20, 2015). "U.S. throws away baseball gold, literally". ESPN. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  55. ↑ Kennedy, Brendan (July 20, 2015). "Pan Am baseball team had a lucky loonie under their feet". Toronto Star. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  56. ↑ "Overall Statistics for the 2015 Pan American Games" (PDF). USA Baseball .
  57. ↑ Manganiello, Joe (September 12, 2016). "Big league, big flies for star catcher". NNY360. Watertown Daily Times. Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  58. ↑ St. Croix, Josh (January 3, 2020). "Tom Murphy finds place with Seattle Mariners". NNY360. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
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