Article: JR Murphy And Bad Timing

[Nick Nelson]

The Twins had a glaring need to improve at the catcher position during the offseason. With no clear long-term solution in place, fans hoped to see Terry Ryan and the front office take aggressive action toward addressing this stark organizational weakness.

 

The moves that the club ended up making probably would not be described as such. The Twins traded an expendable outfielder for a backup catcher from the Yankees, and grabbed a discarded backstop from the Mariners system off of waivers.They have already given up on the latter acquisition. John Hicks was placed on waivers to make room for Jose Berrios and was immediately claimed by the Tigers, leaving Minnesota with two catchers on the 40-man roster. One is Kurt Suzuki, who is likely in his last year with the Twins. The other is John Ryan Murphy, who is off to an utterly miserable start in his new uniform.

 

When they traded Aaron Hicks for Murphy during the offseason, the Twins were hopeful that the improving 24-year-old backstop, a former prep star and second-round draft pick, could develop into a fixture behind the plate. Instead, he just looks like a player that badly needs to be fixed.

 

Murphy was slow to get going in spring training. Given the lion's share of reps at catcher, he collected just five singles in 36 at-bats for a .139 average.

 

"It's timing more than anything," said Joe Vavra, a former hitting instructor turned bench coach, when asked about the newcomer's struggles at the time.

 

Timing still appears to be Murphy's primary issue, and I'm not talking about the poor timing of batting .086 in your first month when trying to make an impression on a new organization and fanbase.

 

In April, Murphy put up a dreadful .225 OPS and it wasn't because opposing pitchers were flat-out overwhelming him. He struck out only five times in 38 plate appearances, but still managed just three hits – a pair of singles and a ground ball double.

 

His BABIP currently stands at .100, meaning he is only getting a hit on one out of 10 balls he puts into play. It's not hard to see why when you look at his batted ball data; Murphy has hit a grounder or fly ball almost 90 percent of the time, with a meager 10.3 percent line drive rate. That is a rather blatant indication that his timing is off, and he's not quite squaring up the ball. The best way to resolve that problem is with regular at-bats.

 

Murphy hasn't gotten those. Only once has he started consecutive games and usually he's been on the bench for multiple days between appearances. It's a bit of a hard sell to suggest that a guy whose batting average starts with zero should be playing more regularly, but I believe that would be the best course for Paul Molitor at this point. Murphy is bound to start collecting some hits and even if he doesn't you're not losing all that much by taking Kurt Suzuki's bat out of the lineup. Plus, additional rest could only be beneficial for the veteran, who has logged more than 9,000 MLB innings at catcher and routinely takes a beating.

 

The other option for ramping up Murphy's at-bat count would be to send him to the minors, where he could start everyday, but unfortunately the aforementioned decision to waive Hicks leaves the Twins with no readily available replacement. In order to demote Murphy, another catcher would need to be added to the 40-man.

 

Stuart Turner and Mitch Garver, the two best catching prospects in the system (faint praise), are both at Double-A and batting around .250. Neither belongs in the majors right now. The current starter in Rochester is Juan Centeno, a 26-year-old non-prospect with a .589 OPS at Triple-A. Unless Ryan can pull off a trade or salvage something off of the waiver wire, there's really no feasible option for replacing Murphy, not to mention Suzuki if he got injured.

 

It's a bad situation, and there aren't any great options. But the Twins saw something in Murphy, and so now they might as well give him some more regular exposure to find out if it can emerge. Given the alternatives, they really need it to.

 

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[Seth Stohs]

There's nothing in Murphy's track record to indicate that he is really THIS bad. He's always hit, at every level, to at least a league-average type of production. No reason to believe that he can't do that here.  Maybe you're right... playing him MORE might be exactly what he needs. 

[glunn]

I don't see much downside to letting him play more, and I am worried that Zuke's option will vest if Murphy sits too much.

[mumoo13]

I wouldn't mind seeing closer to a 50/50 split between Suzuki, who isn't doing that well either, and Murphy. But giving Murphy a majority of the playing time while he's hitting this badly would feel like we're giving up on the season.

[h2oface]

It is not just Murphy's bat that is a concern. It is also his passed balls, errant throws, lack of being able to throw runners out, and his very suspect judgement on seemingly routine plays. Murphy is a mess.

Edited May 2, 2016 by h2oface

[Platoon]

It is not just Murphy's bat that is a concern. It is also his passed balls, errant throws, lack of being able to throw runners out, and his very suspect judgement on seemingly routine plays. Murphy is a mess.

Thank you. I read the whole article and the comments waiting for someone to notice that he can't catch! If he can, it better be off the ground when it gets to the plate. I don't know if his ball blocking abilities, or lack thereof, are career numbers, or a fluke. But currently they are alarming. Another thing that is alarming, is concentrating on offensive numbers in defensive positions. Catcher, SS, and CF. no, they can't all be black hole offensively at once, but you can carry a glove, or two. Or at least you should be able to with a team loaded with DH style hitters. Ugh!

[clutterheart]

 

When they traded Aaron Hicks for Murphy during the offseason, the Twins were hopeful that the improving 24-year-old backstop, a former prep star and second-round draft pick, could develop into a fixture behind the plate. Instead, he just looks like a player that badly needs to be fixed

 

 

This is one reason I hate trading with that org.  Every young yankee prospect/player, is overhyped.

 

Edited May 2, 2016 by clutterheart

[Blackjack]

So how is Hicks doing with the Yankees??

[Halsey Hall]

 

So how is Hicks doing with the Yankees??

What's the difference, this is about our catching black hole.

[Platoon]

So how is Hicks doing with the Yankees??

You don't try for bonus points by trading players who don't perform when they get there, but you do get wins by trading for players that perform when they get here!

[Riverbrian]

So how is Hicks doing with the Yankees??

He better be doing crappy or else I'm really going to be pissed.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

When Suzuki made the 2014 All Star game, who would have thought he would be our primary catcher through the end of 2017? It's looking more and more likely.

 

I think most posters on here were actually pleading for Ryan to trade him at that time.

[birddog]

I never dreamed I would say this after watching JR's futile attempts to hit, but I agree that he should be playing more. This nightmare month has pretty much taken away any hope for a wild card spot in the playoffs, so we are no longer playing for this year but auditioning for the future. Suzuki is not in the future plans, so let's see if JR can improve with more AB's. He can't possibly get worse.

 

I know I'm in the miniscule minority here, but I still have hope that TR will pull off a trade(s) to improve the club for this year and next. I am still shocked at our offense and ability to win games so far, and I pray that one day I wake up to find out that the Twins season and Dorothy's time in Oz were only bad dreams.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I know I'm in the miniscule minority here, but I still have hope that TR will pull off a trade(s) to improve the club for this year and next.

A lot of people have that hope. But do you believe he actually will? That's what would put you in the minority

[birddog]

TR didn't come back from cancer to sit back quietly and collect a check. He's a loyal baseball man who wants to see a winner here, so yes I do believe he will. 

[birddog]

And every night I pray he will.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

That probably means trading Buxton, Sano, Berrios, May, or someone like that.

[nicksaviking]

The Phillies are surprisingly in contention and they just lost their token veteran lefty in the rotation. It looks like they have a couple of young catchers in AAA and AA which look close, but not so exciting that they'd take a ransom. They already have their catcher of the future, and their veteran leader at the MLB level.

 

A trade thus far hasn't worked the first time, but drafting hasn't been working either and good catchers rarely ever become free agents. If this team is going to get another useful backstop, I think continuing to try the trade route is still the best bet.

[birddog]

We all know that a significant trade will be painful as you don't get talent without giving up talent. It hurt last year when we traded Hu for Jepson. 

[laloesch]

Is it too late to see if Mauer can catch part time?  I mean if he's only doing it 20-30% of the games, it should help him stay healthy right?  I'm being serious.  

 

This organization needs to think outside the box and find a REAL catcher ASAP.  I think it's gotten to the point of desperation.  Murphy is yet ANOTHER over hyped mediocre Yankees prospect.  The problem is NOBODY wants Suzuki vesting option to kick in.  That means the Twins have to limit his games the rest of the season.  Unfortunately, Murphy has been an absolute total bust behind the plate and in the batters box, far worse than any of us could possibly have imagined.  He makes Butera look like an all-star to be quite blunt. 

 

Hear me out.  If Mauer catches 20-30% of the games we prevent Suzuki from vesting and Murphy is strictly backup until they figure something out.  On the days Mauer is behind the plate, Park can slide over to first, which is not a bad thing.    

 

What do you think the Brewers would want for Jonathan Lucroy?  Gibson plus Meyer?  The Brewers are in desperate need of starting pitching.  I'm willing to bet they would ask for Berrios, but the Twins have plenty of other starters to offer.  Thoughts?

Edited May 2, 2016 by laloesch

[nicksaviking]

 

We all know that a significant trade will be painful as you don't get talent without giving up talent. It hurt last year when we traded Hu for Jepson. 

 

There is only one consistently good catcher in the game today. Unless they target Buster Posey, there probably shouldn't be a significant trade to make.

 

I want the Twins to fix this, but it's not like the team is on lack-of-catcher-island alone, this is just a really, really bleak time in baseball history for the catcher position.

[ThejacKmp]

 

I am worried that Zuke's option will vest if Murphy sits too much.

 

Really little to no chance of this happened. Suzuki needs 485 plate appearances this year to vest that option. He played 131 games last year and still only got 479 plate appearances. It's hard to see the Twins playing Fryer/Hermann more than JRM, even if he is not playing well. And Suzuki is bound to have some nagging injury that keeps him out for a week at some point.

 

If the Twins let him over 485 it will be because he has an amazing year and they can't sit him and/or want him back again. That seems unlikely to happen but would be a nice problem to have.

[ThejacKmp]

 

Is it too late to see if Mauer can catch part time?  I mean if he's only doing it 20-30% of the games, it should help him stay healthy right?  I'm being serious.  

 

This organization needs to think outside the box and find a REAL catcher ASAP.  I think it's gotten to the point of desperation.  Murphy is yet ANOTHER over hyped mediocre Yankees prospect.  The problem is NOBODY wants Suzuki vesting option to kick in.  That means the Twins have to limit his games the rest of the season.  Unfortunately, Murphy has been an absolute total bust behind the plate and in the batters box, far worse than any of us could possibly have imagined.  He makes Butera look like an all-star to be quite blunt. 

 

Hear me out.  If Mauer catches 20-30% of the games we prevent Suzuki from vesting and Murphy is strictly backup until they figure something out.  On the days Mauer is behind the plate, Park can slide over to first, which is not a bad thing.    

 

What do you think the Brewers would want for Jonathan Lucroy?  Gibson plus Meyer?  The Brewers are in desperate need of starting pitching.  I'm willing to bet they would ask for Berrios, but the Twins have plenty of other starters to offer.  Thoughts?

 

Suzuki isn't going to vest even if he is the clear #1 catcher (131 games last year = 479 plate appearances; hard to see him catching that much this year.

 

You can't put Mauer back at catcher for human and baseball reasons. The human one trumps all which is that doctors recommend he not be back there as it could easily harm his long term health. And even if you get heartless, he hasn't played in two plus years and would be super rusty. Plus why mess with something that is working? Mauer is hitting like old Joe and no one should mess with that.

 

Not a huge "trade for Lucroy" fan. He had a very good stretch from 2012 to 2014 but tailed off last year. He's 30 years old and bound to decline in the near future - you're buying high if you get him now. I'd still like him as a player in a vacuum but he's going to cost a ton (he's going to be one of the best two or three position players available at the deadline). Definitely not worth it.

 

Patience with JRM. As Seth said, he's hit at every stage of his career. He's in a slump now but it's worth remembering that it's only 35 at bats and that it isn't like he's striking out a ton. In a few months, he'll likely be hitting much better (and getting much more consisted PT). As for behind the plate, it's not like Suzuki has been amazing. With the exception of JRM's terrible play Washington, they've been the same catcher.

[ThejacKmp]

 

A lot of people have that hope. But do you believe he actually will? That's what would put you in the minority

 

I don't hope TR makes any big moves. He shouldn't sell out any of the young guys to put a bandaid on this season. Last season got expectations high for this year but this was always going to be a growing process. The Twins should be keeping and playing prospects. Getting Lucroy now isn't going to save this season and JRM is young and we're talking a small sample here. Let's give it some time.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I don't see much downside to letting him play more, and I am worried that Zuke's option will vest if Murphy sits too much.

Suzuki is currently on pace for only 376 PA, well short of the 485 needed for his option to vest.

 

Suzuki could actually accumulate PA at his 2014 rate the rest of the season and still fall just short of vesting (he'd finish with 483 PA).  And given that our 2014 team runs/game mark was higher than 2015 or 2016 so far, that might be a safe bet?

 

In any case, the only way Suzuki's option vests is if we want it to vest (which is a real possibility, but one pretty much separate from the quality or playing time of our backup).

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I don't hope TR makes any big moves. He shouldn't sell out any of the young guys to put a bandaid on this season. Last season got expectations high for this year but this was always going to be a growing process. The Twins should be keeping and playing prospects. Getting Lucroy now isn't going to save this season and JRM is young and we're talking a small sample here. Let's give it some time.

Mostly I was responding to a poster who hopes Ryan makes a move to improve the team this year. I agree small sample. One nice 3 hit game for Murphy and his slash line will be back to normal.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Suzuki is currently on pace for only 376 PA, well short of the 485 needed for his option to vest.

 

Suzuki could actually accumulate PA at his 2014 rate the rest of the season and still fall just short of vesting (he'd finish with 483 PA).  And given that our 2014 team runs/game mark was higher than 2015 or 2016 so far, that might be a safe bet?

 

In any case, the only way Suzuki's option vests is if we want it to vest (which is a real possibility, but one pretty much separate from the quality or playing time of our backup).

He might also get another one year extension.

[HitInAPinch]

 

Is it too late to see if Mauer can catch part time?  I mean if he's only doing it 20-30% of the games, it should help him stay healthy right?  I'm being serious.  

 

This organization needs to think outside the box and find a REAL catcher ASAP.  I think it's gotten to the point of desperation.  Murphy is yet ANOTHER over hyped mediocre Yankees prospect.  The problem is NOBODY wants Suzuki vesting option to kick in.  That means the Twins have to limit his games the rest of the season.  Unfortunately, Murphy has been an absolute total bust behind the plate and in the batters box, far worse than any of us could possibly have imagined.  He makes Butera look like an all-star to be quite blunt. 

 

Hear me out.  If Mauer catches 20-30% of the games we prevent Suzuki from vesting and Murphy is strictly backup until they figure something out.  On the days Mauer is behind the plate, Park can slide over to first, which is not a bad thing.    

 

What do you think the Brewers would want for Jonathan Lucroy?  Gibson plus Meyer?  The Brewers are in desperate need of starting pitching.  I'm willing to bet they would ask for Berrios, but the Twins have plenty of other starters to offer.  Thoughts?

 

In reading your post, my 1st thought was:  Post sober!

Just kidding .......

 

No, Mauer will not be a catcher again.  His choice.

Murphy needs FAR more time behind the plate before passing too much judgement.  If Suzuki is the past and Murphy the future, I don't see a question about it. 

 

A trade for Lucroy?  You'd be expecting a HUGE discount from the Brewers in either trade scenario. 

 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

There is only one consistently good catcher in the game today. Unless they target Buster Posey, there probably shouldn't be a significant trade to make.

I get your general point, although Cervilli, Castillo, McCann, Vogt, Perez (for defense), etc. can probably make a case too.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

He might also get another one year extension.

Yeah, I could see Suzuki falling just short like Hughes did for his IP bonus a couple years ago, and then they pick up the option or negotiate an extension anyway.