If highly-touted Colorado Rockies prospect Tom Murphy is to continue developing into the organization’s catcher of the future, the brass feels he needs to continue seeing frequent playing time. Despite joining the Rockies as a September call-up in 2015, the time is not quite right for him to join the big club permenantly. Murphy was sent to minor league camp on March 21st and is expected to receive most of the playing time behind the plate at Triple-A Albuquerque.
“There’s definitely still some development that he needs to do,” Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich told BSN Denver. “That development process is best served by playing every single day and working through those things.”
After slashing at .257/.333/.543 with three home runs and nine RBI over 11 games with the Rockies last September, Murphy struggled mightily this spring. He had just two hits in 21 at-bats, though to his credit, both hits were home runs. The Rockies feel that more consistent playing time will get Murphy ready to compete at the Major League level.
Bridich explained that he wanted Murphy to gain more familiarity with the pitchers of the future, many of whom — specifically Jeff Hoffman, Eddie Butler, and Kyle Freeland — will take the mound in Albuquerque this year. As a catcher, Murphy’s role goes well beyond his offensive production. While defensive skills (i.e pitch framing, blocking balls in the dirt, etc.) are important, arguably the most vital job a catcher has is to manage an entire pitching staff. Familiarity with the staff is a primary focus now and more playing time with his present and future battery mates is the best way to gain that familiarity.
“[There are] some very specific things that we’ve talked about all the way throughout camp,” Bridich says about Murphy’s continued development. “We’ve talked about it. He’s definitely in agreement. We’re all seeing the same things with him. He needs to play.”
After seeing just a glimpse of the top catching prospect last Fall, fans have understandably begun clamoring for Murphy to join the active roster at 20th and Blake. Throughout his minor league career, he has consistently put up impressive power numbers. In 2013, he hit 22 home runs with Low-A Asheville and Double-A Tulsa. 2014 was essentially a lost season due to a shoulder injury but in 2015, between Double-A New Britain and Triple-A Albuquerque, he hit 20 bombs before being called up to Colorado in September. Throughout his time in the minors, he has consistently had a slugging percentage in the high .400s.
Murphy’s offensive prowess projects very well at the Major League level, especially when he’s playing half of his games at Coors Field. His tough spring doesn’t indicate that he’s all of a sudden a bust. It’s reasonable to expect that he will bounce back in Albuquerque. It’s also reasonable to expect to see Murphy back in purple pinstripes at some point in 2016.
Murphy appears to be close to joining the Rockies full-time. The issue isn’t so much developing a big league ballplayer anymore as much as it is ironing out a few remaining issues and gaining familiarity with the pitching staff of the future.
“Fortunately, we have other viable big league options at catcher,” Bridich said, alluding to starter Nick Hundley and backup Tony Wolters.
The next wave of farm talent has begun to break into big leagues led by the likes of Jon Gray and Trevor Story. Murphy certainly isn’t far behind.
