The Nine In '09: Clark Murphy
Jason Parks
Clark Murphy - Photo courtesy of Drake Bomber
Over the next nine days I will profile the nine players that I encourage you to pay attention to during the '09 season. These players were not included on BBTiA's Top 25 Prospects list, and they all played in the Arizona Rookie League and above during the '08 season. I excluded all players that were not stateside in '08, but I will focus on the Dominican Summer League prospects before the minor league season begins.
The prospects that will be profiled might not be the biggest names, or have the highest ceilings, but they are the players that I think have a chance to take big steps forward during the '09 season. Who is on your list?
On my list so far:
Matt West | Miguel De Los Santos
Clark Murphy
Clark Murphy was drafted in the fifth round of the 2008 amateur draft out of Fallbrook Union High School in California. The 6' 2," 195-pound lefty has enormous raw power and a smooth line-drive stroke that really turned heads in his professional debut.
Murphy was assigned to the Arizona Rookie League after inking an over-slot deal to buy him away from a commitment to UCLA. Once game action began, Murphy started hitting and never stopped. His fluid swing produced a batting line of .358/.435/.526 in his brief 25-game stint in the AZL.
The knock on Murphy coming into the draft was that his swing had several mechanical issues that might prevent him from reaching his offensive potential. Murphy worked on staying back on the ball and making his swing more compact, and the results were quite obvious. He was able to use the entire field, and despite not hitting many homeruns (1), Murphy projects to hit for power as he climbs the ladder.
His overall defensive projection is quite limited. He was working in the outfield during the Fall Instructional League, but his natural athleticism (below-average speed) suggests he will probably be a first baseman at the higher levels. His arm is strong and his footwork looks pretty savvy around the bag at first base, but his path to the majors will depend on his ability to hit the ball.
I think Murphy jumps to full-season ball in '09, and should be the starting first baseman for Low-A Hickory. It's possible that he receives some playing time in right field, but as I mentioned above, Murphy should settle into the organizationally blocked first base position as he moves up. Look for Murphy to emerge as one of the better young power hitters in the system. He has a mature approach for a young hitter and has the power potential to become a very dangerous offensive threat.
Murphy's pre-draft scouting video:
[Direct link available here.]
Reader Comments (11)
Nice profile Jason. Seems we've got a lot of pretty decent first base/DH types in the system right now - in another couple years it seems like we could be almost as stacked there as we are at catcher right now (although Mitch Moreland looks like he could turn to relieving according to MJH).
It also seems like there's a pretty decent chance that of our three Murphy's (David, Tim and Clark) David might wind up having the "worst" major league career of the trio - yet another mind-blowing realization about our farm system and talent pool right now.
Don't forget KYLE Murphy (another OF!) with the Lumberkings!
And here I've proposed we trade Padilla and Byrd to the Mets for DANIEL Murphy!
Is it conceivable that we could put David in CF, at least for 1 game in 2011, and field an all-Murphy OF plus a Murphy at each of the corners?
"Incontheivable!"
What do you think is a fair ML comp for Murphy if he sticks at first base, Jason? For some reason Ben Broussard sticks out in my head, and I'm not sure why. Perhaps that's a completely misguided projection -- in fact, I'm betting that it is.
Murphy received Ryan Klesco comps in high school, and I think that is a better comp than Broussard. I think Murphy has more power projection and the chance to hit for a higher average at the higher levels. He has a knack for making solid contact with the ball. Let's hope he continues to fine tune his approach as he climbs the system.
I like Murphy a great deal, but I was thrown a little by the video. He was fouling off a lot of balls and swinging through a good number, too. Not a lot of good contact at all. Probably just some bad days, but he looked like he had timing issues back then that I hope he's solved/solving now.
Andy: I wouldn't put too much stock in video footage from the summer of '07. He looked very awkward in the video, but he didn't seem to have any major timing issues when I saw him in Arizona. He has started growing into his frame and should continue to add power as he physically matures. He can really hit.
Thanks again, Jason,
Were you (during your visit) or Kevin Goldstein (during his Rangers scouting report round-up) able to get scouting reports on C-murph (along with this scouting video)?
When you get reports, is it specified which scouts said what?Do you find yourself leaning toward some scouts' opinions and away from others?
Michael: I trust the scouts I know, so when I get something from them I tend to go with it. I also trust my own eyes. Life is much easier when those opinions happen to be the same. Sometimes they differ, but I always try to present the most informed take a can. That is true whether that take is from someone I happen to know or not.
Yeah Jason, I'm not putting any stock in the video, but it just looked pretty bad. He's definitely very talented and showed that in his pro debut. I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do.
Looks like he hurt himself on that last popup.
Big Drake Bomber fan. Love his photog work.