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GISA Scout Blog - Hayden Murphy Shines

April 5, 2022
Phil Kerber
Georgia Scouting Director

CHULA, GA - South Georgia is home to some of the top prospects, not only in Georgia, but also the country, every year. One of those prospects in this year's senior class is RHP Hayden Murphy (Tiftarea Academy; Auburn). On Monday afternoon, Murphy, a 2022 MLB Draft prospect, helped lead Tiftarea Academy to an important 9-2 region victory over Southland Academy in the first of a three game series.

The right-hander collected another win on the year, going 6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 11 K, 3 BB, 1 HBP. Of the 11 strikeouts Murphy notched, eight of those came via fastball and three via slider. The two hits yielded were a leadoff single and a fourth inning one out double down the left field line. The one run that crossed the plate came following a hit batter made it to third on a wild pitch, scoring on a 6-3 groundout in the third inning.

Murphy toes the rubber at 6-foot-3, 192-pounds. He possesses lean strength throughout his athletic frame, and still has lots of room for further development. The arm action is long with a full arm swing, but Murphy's athleticism shines as his arm operates with lightning quick arm speed and whip-like qualities. The ball jumps out of a 3/4 slot as he gets out front and downhill.

Murphy got better as the game progressed. He saved his best for last, peaking with his "stuff" in the fifth and sixth innings.  The fastball ranged 88-95 with run and sink, sitting mostly 90-93, touching 94 in the fifth inning and 95 in the second inning. The pitch was overpowering throughout the start, and if contact was made, it resulted in groundball contact. His slider did not have the same bite we have seen in previous looks, but it was still a swing and miss pitch with tight cutting action at 82-83. Murphy also mixed in a changeup at 79-82 that showed late sinking action.

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