2022 Pre-Season SF Giants Prospects: 20-11

2022 Pre-Season SF Giants Prospects: 20-11

11. Ryan Murphy

Position: RHP
Age: 22
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 190 lbs.
Projected Level: Richmond (AA)
MLB ETA: 2023

Tool Grades: (Present/Future)

FB 50/55 | SL 45/55 | CB 45/50 | CH 40/50 | CMD 45/55

PV 40 | FV 45

Considered as a pool-saving selection, Murphy easily exceeded expectations this season, often being seen at the top of the Minor League strikeout leaderboard during the heat of summer and if he did not hurt his back in a mid-September start, he would have finished the season at the top of the strikeout leaderboard.

Murphy was head-and-shoulders ahead of the low-Minors competition because his pitchability and control are one of the best, if not the best, in the organization. He only throws his fastball in the low-90s but it has plenty of life from a high-¾ arm slot and he has a great feel for the pitch, showing plenty of aggression and toying with hitters at the top of the zone often.

His best secondary pitch is his low-80s slider that does not have a high spin rate but prides itself with a late, bat-missing vertical break that he also has a great feel of throwing in the outer edge of the zone against righties and inside against lefties. His spike curveball is often thrown early in the count against both lefties and righties as a different look and he rounds out his repertoire with his changeup that he only throws sparingly against lefties but has promising fading action.

His up-tempo mechanics have plenty of crossfire that Murphy looks to reduce a bit to better direct his momentum towards home plate. Even if Murphy did not improve his stuff, his present ability gives him a high floor as a middle reliever and could very well end up in Sacramento at season’s end. Once Murphy refines his mechanics and adds a tick or two in his fastball as well as improving his secondaries, particularly his changeup, he has mid-to-backend starter potential.