Dayton
Murphy

urphy has continued to show well in front of our staff since impressing at the 2022 PBR Future Games last summer. Athletic middle-infielder that possesses advanced actions, making a number of notable plays throughout the weekend. Rangy defender with above-average arm strength and the ability to make tough throws on the run. At the plate, simple swing with quick hands that allowed for two hits during Saturday’s contest. Quick runner out of the box as well. Exciting player that competes with a high motor. Currently ranked No. 39 in the state. 

Michigan State commit. Currently ranked No. 39 in the state. Compact, athletic frame that stands 5-foot-10, 165-pounds. The former future gamer showed his usual quality defense, displaying above-average actions and range up the middle of the diamond. Simple right-handed stroke, uses the whole field with a line-drive approach.

The spark plug for the Gators’ offense, Murphy backed up a strong sophomore campaign at Crystal Lake South with an even better one, capturing all-state honors in his junior year. He slashed .455/.541/.723 in 112 at-bats, scoring 50 runs and swiping 34 bags. Murphy provided some thump, totaling 21 extra-base hits, and he brought home 33 runs on his own, too. Aside from his offensive efforts, Murphy is a savvy, sure-handed defender on the infield that’ll stick on the dirt at the next level. The PBR Future Games alum is one of the state’s top 2024 prospects and is committed to Michigan State.

INF Dayton Murphy (Crystal Lake South, 2024) certainly left a positive impression on our scouts after a quality all-around showing on Sunday. The 5-foot-9, 155-pound sophomore showed a repeatable right-handed stroke in BP, staying short to the baseball with sneaky barrel strength and gap-to-gap feel. Murphy’s glove may be his biggest asset as he projects to stick somewhere on the infield in the long-term. He owns an innately advanced feel for himself on the dirt, moving with tempo and rhythm with comfortably nimble feet throughout. He also recorded the day’s hardest throw across the diamond, reaching an 87 mph high, and his arm is capable of accurately playing from multiple angles, too. Murphy joins a quality list of name-to-know prospects from the Fox Valley Conference as we prepare for the spring season. 

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-9, 155-pounds. Wiry, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance. Minimal pre-pitch load and rhythm, short stride. Repeatable swing, stays on balance. Short path, works uphill through the zone. Consistently on time. Flashed juice off the barrel and worked gap-to-gap.
Power: 89.4 max exit velocity, averaged 84.6 mph. 332’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 87 mph. Above average arm strength. Quick, compact arm action. High 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Smooth, athletic actions. Quick feet. Above average hands. Under control on the move.
Run: 7.15 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-8, 150-pounds. Projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Simple, athletic setup, smooth load to the back leg, long stride.  Quick bat, short level swing, full plate coverage, line drives to the gaps.
Power: 86.14 max exit velocity, averaged 74.65 mph. 316’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, throws play accurate with carry.
Defense: Pre-pitch hop, works to the baseball, plays from the ground up, advanced double play turn.
Run: 7.59 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-7, 125-pounds. Thin, athletic frame.
Defense: Plays athletically, quick fluid footwork, soft hands, clean exchange.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short, loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Athletic in the box, slightly open balance setup, toe tap. Athletic, simple swing; fluid hands help it project as he develops. Smooth load, short stride, short bat path, long through the zone.
Power: 72 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.71 runner in the 60.