<img alt="MLB: New York Mets at Atlanta Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xBPC0Rdf_vtKe4dza1hH15MGQig=/0x0:4996x3331/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73714967/usa_today_22993572.0.jpg">
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Owen put together an absolutely sensational start to the season, pitching one of the best games amongst all minor leaguers, before being betrayed by his elbow. How Acquired
Owen was the Atlanta Braves’ first round draft pick in the 2022 MLB Draft.
Preseason Report Card
Owen was drafted as a more advanced prep pitcher in the 2022 draft. He threw average to above average pitches with a good fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. The fastball sits in the low-90s but has good movement and Owen’s control of it allows him to throw it to every part of the zone. His curveball, slider, and changeup were slightly behind his fastball, but all three were usable - especially at his age.
This advanced pedigree allowed him to find some early career success as Owen made 21 starts in 2023 between Augusta and Rome where he was solid - putting together a 4.72 ERA. Owen headed into 2024 as the Braves number four prospect according to us because of his ability to throw four pitches and command all for well.
What We Saw in 2024
Despite being our number two rated prospect - none of us were quite ready for just what Owen would do on the mound in 2024. He came out the gates blazing - striking out 37 over his first 24 innings of work 13.9 K/9) with a walk rate of 2.25 per 9. He was absolutely sensational in that fourth start as he put together one of the most impressive performances I have ever seen in a minor league pitcher when he struck out 11 over seven one-hit innings.
Sheer dominance from Owen Murphy The @Braves' No. 5 prospect takes a perfect game into the 7th and finishes with double-digit K's for the second straight start for @GoEmperors: pic.twitter.com/Gl1dQWR4rW— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 26, 2024
Owen threw all four pitches for strikes pretty much every start - and looked like he was due for a midseason promotion to Double-A Mississippi. He would make three more starts where he would limit hitters to a line of .158/.246/.228 completely dominating his opponents. Overall those seven starts gave him 41 innings of work where he had a sizzling 1.98 ERA, 0.732 WHIP, 13.2 K/9, 2.6 BB/9, and somehow limiting hitters to 4 hits per 9. You can pick which one of those stats impress you the most.
It was after that seventh start when disaster struck. Feeling pain in his elbow - Owen was shut down before ultimately requiring Tommy John Surgery which would prematurely end his magnificent season. It was rough seeing someone put it all together and be robbed of what was sure to be a truly magical season at the end of May.
2025 Outlook
With that 12-15 month timeline for Tommy John there’s not much hope that Owen will return to the mound next season. That being said, it is safe to say he will start the work in Mississippi with a potentially quick promotion to Gwinnett due to his advanced abilities. There is a lot to like about his ability to pitch, his work ethic, and his overall demeanor on and off the mound so here’s to hoping for a successful rehab and a return to form for Owen Murphy in late 2025/start of 2026.
<img alt="MLB: New York Mets at Atlanta Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xBPC0Rdf_vtKe4dza1hH15MGQig=/0x0:4996x3331/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73714967/usa_today_22993572.0.jpg">
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Owen put together an absolutely sensational start to the season, pitching one of the best games amongst all minor leaguers, before being betrayed by his elbow. How Acquired
Owen was the Atlanta Braves’ first round draft pick in the 2022 MLB Draft.
Preseason Report Card
Owen was drafted as a more advanced prep pitcher in the 2022 draft. He threw average to above average pitches with a good fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. The fastball sits in the low-90s but has good movement and Owen’s control of it allows him to throw it to every part of the zone. His curveball, slider, and changeup were slightly behind his fastball, but all three were usable - especially at his age.
This advanced pedigree allowed him to find some early career success as Owen made 21 starts in 2023 between Augusta and Rome where he was solid - putting together a 4.72 ERA. Owen headed into 2024 as the Braves number four prospect according to us because of his ability to throw four pitches and command all for well.
What We Saw in 2024
Despite being our number two rated prospect - none of us were quite ready for just what Owen would do on the mound in 2024. He came out the gates blazing - striking out 37 over his first 24 innings of work 13.9 K/9) with a walk rate of 2.25 per 9. He was absolutely sensational in that fourth start as he put together one of the most impressive performances I have ever seen in a minor league pitcher when he struck out 11 over seven one-hit innings.
Sheer dominance from Owen Murphy The @Braves' No. 5 prospect takes a perfect game into the 7th and finishes with double-digit K's for the second straight start for @GoEmperors: pic.twitter.com/Gl1dQWR4rW— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 26, 2024
Owen threw all four pitches for strikes pretty much every start - and looked like he was due for a midseason promotion to Double-A Mississippi. He would make three more starts where he would limit hitters to a line of .158/.246/.228 completely dominating his opponents. Overall those seven starts gave him 41 innings of work where he had a sizzling 1.98 ERA, 0.732 WHIP, 13.2 K/9, 2.6 BB/9, and somehow limiting hitters to 4 hits per 9. You can pick which one of those stats impress you the most.
It was after that seventh start when disaster struck. Feeling pain in his elbow - Owen was shut down before ultimately requiring Tommy John Surgery which would prematurely end his magnificent season. It was rough seeing someone put it all together and be robbed of what was sure to be a truly magical season at the end of May.
2025 Outlook
With that 12-15 month timeline for Tommy John there’s not much hope that Owen will return to the mound next season. That being said, it is safe to say he will start the work in Mississippi with a potentially quick promotion to Gwinnett due to his advanced abilities. There is a lot to like about his ability to pitch, his work ethic, and his overall demeanor on and off the mound so here’s to hoping for a successful rehab and a return to form for Owen Murphy in late 2025/start of 2026.
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