The Orioles have a few hidden gems tucked away on their minor league rosters, but few are having the impact that catcher Alex Murphy is with the Aberdeen Ironbirds.
A product of Calvert Hall in Baltimore, Murphy is making an impact just about a half hour away from his high school.
The 19-year-old is currently batting .286 has knocked two home runs already in just about two weeks of play. His .364 road batting average has been a pleasant surprise for a guy that will make his living working hard behind the dish.
“I feel alright. I could definitely improve a little bit with some more consistency,” said Murphy, whose humble attitude is evident. He wants to focus on helping the team, which has won just two games, improve moving ahead.
Murphy expects the team to pick it up in their upcoming stretch, and thinks the squad as a whole will get significantly better as they play and gel as a team.
As the Ironbirds progress, it’s clear that the 5-11, 210-lb catcher is establishing a strong role behind the dish. His game hasn’t seen much of a dip as he’s transitioned from high school to pro ball.
FOR MORE ON MURPHY, CHECK OUT OUR FIRST INTERVIEW WITH HIM
“There’s a little bit of a difference because [the minor-league pitchers’] stuff is a little bit better,” said Murphy. “I played on a lot of summer teams and was in a couple of showcases where the pitchers were pretty much minor-league ready.”
One of Murphy’s best highlights of showcase ball was when he caught Hunter Harvey, another prized star in the Orioles organization.
With 10 RBIs, Murphy has been one of the most balanced hitters on the team thus far. His love for the game shines through his own words, but the words of those he’s surrounded by. When I asked the family he was staying with to talk a bit about Murphy, they all said they were impressed with how much he is focused and loves the game. For a teenager, that’s all you can ask for.
“It all works really great,” explained Murphy. “Our high-A is in Frederick and I lived in Mt. Airy…I’m still able to hang out with my friends a lot and see everybody.”
Murphy’s primary focus is on getting better both behind the plate and at the dish. He feels that his game could still improve a decent amount, but is confident that he’ll make big strides with hard work.
In 2013 in the Gulf Coast League, Murphy hit just .231 with just nine RBIs in 31 games. Through 21 outings this year, he’s plated 10 and has been the most clutch performer in Aberdeen’s lineup. Among the everyday guys, Murphy has the highest average and on-base percentage on the team.
Humble at heart, Murphy is soaking up the experience. He said he didn’t know what to expect coming into his first year in A ball, but says that the time with Aberdeen has been a great ride so far.
Check out the full Ironbirds schedule here. You can follow Alex on Twitter @A_Murph32.
