Murphy proving value in Nats' bullpen
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ATLANTA – As is often the case, it seems a move to the bullpen has suited Nationals right-hander Patrick Murphy. And a waiver move from Toronto to Washington seems to be working out pretty well too.
The combination may mean a significant role for Murphy going forward.
Murphy, 26, flashed his power stuff in a valuable 2 2/3-inning stint on Wednesday night. He struck out four of the 10 batters he faced without allowing a hit, settling things after starter Sean Nolin was ejected.
He was a waiver claim from the Blue Jays last month, but if he keeps pitching like that, there’s a chance for him to play a significant role in the Nationals' bullpen beyond 2021.
Murphy was a starter through 2019 in the Blue Jays' system, pitching mostly effectively, but not overpowering hitters. He got a cup of coffee with Toronto as a reliever in 2020, and that started to change. Since joining the Nationals, he has 16 strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings. Murphy is averaging over 96 mph on both his two-seam and four-seam fastballs, and he has cut back to throwing fastballs and curveballs almost exclusively.
“I told him from the get-go,” said manager Dave Martinez, “I said, 'Look, you’re going to pitch one inning, maybe one-plus innings. But you’re going to be ready and available.' And he accepted that.”
They needed more from him on Wednesday, but that’s likely to be the exception rather than the rule going forward. There’s plenty of opportunity in the Washington bullpen, both this year and next, and Murphy is looking to seize on that.
House raking
Brady House, the Nationals’ first-round pick in July’s Draft and the organization’s No. 3-rated prospect, seems to be taking to professional baseball extremely well.
House, 18, has tallied at least one hit in 10 of his 11 games for the Nationals’ Rookie-level affiliate in the Florida Complex League. He has three homers, three doubles and five walks with eight strikeouts in 43 plate appearances -- good for a .372/.438/.651 batting line. And he’s done it all while playing shortstop.
House was the No. 11 overall pick in the Draft out of Winder-Barrow High School (Ga.), but he was rated much more highly than that in most pre-Draft rankings.