Prospect Interview Series: Tim Murphy
Jason Parks
Tim Murphy--Photo from Jason Parks
Tim Murphy is a left-handed pitcher drafted in the third round of the 2008 amateur draft out of UCLA. The 6' 2" southpaw has been absolutely brilliant pitching out of the Low-A Spokane Indians bullpen, allowing only 15 hits in 29.1 innings while striking out 36 Northwest League hitters.
I had the privilege of speaking with Murphy about his performance this season and, among other things, about the process of retaliation.
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Q: What pitches are you throwing right now?
A: I throw a fastball, a change-up and a curve ball.
Q: Is your fastball still your best pitch?
A: Yeah. Got to go with the fastball. You have to pitch off your fastball.
Q: What's the velocity of your fastball?
A: Anywhere from 88 to 92 miles per hour.
Q: How have your pitches progressed since college?
A: It's just a matter of refining them and being more consistent with all three of them. Throwing them on a daily basis and getting more comfortable. I've developed more confidence in all three pitches. I'm not afraid to throw any of them in any count.
Q: Can you put into words what you are thinking about when you are standing on the mound, looking in to the catcher, in preparation to throw?
A: You and the catcher both have to be on the same page. Depending on what count it is, you know what you want to throw or you have an idea of what you want to throw based on what the guy's weaknesses or strengths are. You kind of go through all that before you get on the mound, but once you get on the mound you really have a pitch in mind that you want to throw, and you wait for the catcher to call it, and he knows what is going on, and you guys are on the same page.
It's like nothing is going on around you. Everything shuts off. I can't hear the fans. I can't hear anything. I'm just locked onto the glove. I'm sure you've heard people say, "Pick a certain part of the glove." All your focus goes to that glove and repetition takes over. I guess the best way to describe it is muscle memory. You're locked in. You're in a zone and nothing can affect you when you are going through that.
Q: You are holding right-handed hitters to a .188 average while maintaining a healthy strikeout rate. What is your secret against righties?
A: I'm not really afraid to throw to anyone, right-handed or left-handed. The biggest key to disrupting right-handers is you have to have a decent change-up and throw it when you are behind in the count. You have to be able to throw on the inner half of the plate with your fastball. I feel like I've been able to do both of those.
Regardless of who's up there, I'm not afraid to throw any pitch, and I'm not afraid to throw inside to anyone. I think those two things have been the biggest reasons. That change-up and keeping guys honest, and mixing up their timing, which is where the change-up helps. Then, also, using that fastball, especially on the inner half of the plate.
Q: Since we last spoke in June, you've basically been unhittable. What adjustments have you made?
A: The biggest thing is that I've finally gotten used to everything. I've settled down and gotten into my routine. I know what I'm doing now. Earlier in the year I was struggling with command, especially with my fastball command. Since then, my command has been good. I've been able to put it where I want. I've gotten used to the ball. The biggest thing that it boils down to is fastball command. If you have fastball command, you can pretty much do what you want as a pitcher.
Q: What is your ideal role: starter or a reliever?
A: I started in college, but they have had me relieving out of the bullpen because I threw a lot of innings in college. It's kind of up to them what they want to do with me. I'm working for them. There are two different sides of the game. Either one is fine with me and I'm willing to do whatever they want me to do.
Q: You seem like a good candidate to start the '09 season in the High A starting rotation. Would you be prepared for such an aggressive promotion?
A: You have to have confidence. You have to believe in yourself. That is where it all starts. If you don't have confidence or don't believe in yourself, you are going to self-destruct. It's about consistency. Doing what got you there before. There is a reason why someone put you where you are. You have to build off what you have done in the past and move on from there. You got there for a reason and you have to stick with what you are doing.
Q: You were ejected on August 6th for hitting a batter in what appeared to be retaliation for Matt West getting thrown behind twice and then hit. If you can, please explain the process of retaliation.
A: It depends. Baseball is a funny game and you have to protect your guys. There are certain cases where it just happens. There's no right or wrong way to answer this question, but it is just something that has to be done in baseball. You have to protect your own guys, so there are instances where stuff like that happens. Other than that, there's not too much to it.
Q: What big league hitter are you looking forward to facing?
A: I'm just trying to get there and get there as fast as I can. The best answer would probably be the first Major League hitter I ever get to face. It would be something exciting and something I would never forget.
Q: When I speak to you next, either at fall instructionals or spring training, what accomplishment from the '08 season are we going to be talking about first?
A: First and foremost, we want to win a championship here. We want to win the Northwest League. That is something you would remember forever, and it would be a great way to start my first year as a professional athlete.
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Nicely done, Tim.
Special thanks to Keenan Bowen.
Reader Comments (6)
Great interview. And I mean it.
Great article on Tim. Had the pleasure of recruiting and coaching Tim the last 3 years. He was a tremendous player for our program. Texas got a steal in the 3rd round, he should move quickly due to talent and maturity. We are very happy for Tim and his family. We wish him the best.
John Savage
UCLA Baseball