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WSU Alumnus Sean Murphy Named to MLB Pipeline 2020 All-Rookie First Team

Sean Murphy | Photo from wsuraiders.com/sports/baseball


Sean Murphy was a catcher for Wright State University (WSU) from 2014-2016 before being drafted in the third-round by the Oakland Athletics. 

Murphy was just named to the MLB Pipeline 2020 All-Rookie First Team and is rated the ninth highest rookie in relation to future value by MLB.com 

“Either his offense (home runs with plenty of walks) or defense (potential Gold Glove with a cannon arm) alone would make him a starting backstop,” said Senior Writer for MLB Pipeline Jim Callis. 

WSU career 

Murphy was a former walk-on from Centerville and went on to start 150 games throughout his three-year career at WSU. 

“As far as real work ethic, like on your own doing the grind, a lot of guys talk about it but Sean was all about it,” said former Assistant Coach at WSU Justin Parker. 

Murphy was named Horizon League Freshman of the Year in 2014 and earned all-league honors all three years at WSU. 

“He is an absolutely elite thrower and he has elite raw power as well,” said Parker. “He’s been an insatiable worker.” 

 Murphy gained close to 40 or 50 pounds his first 18 months at WSU, and grew almost two inches. 

When Murphy was coming out of high school there were question marks about his size as a catcher, but he eliminated all of those questions after his freshman year. 

“He is just really cerebral and brilliantly smart especially when it comes to the game of baseball,” said former Head Coach at WSU Greg Lovelady. 

MLB career thus far 

“I wish he hadn’t got hurt as a junior and broke his hand because he would have gone on to be a first rounder. I tried to tell all the scouts that he’s going to be the best catcher coming out of this draft and it won’t even be close” said Lovelady. 

Murphy was named the opening day starter for this shortened season and went on to start for the Athletics during their postseason run. 

He started all three games in their Wild Card series against the Chicago White Sox and batted .375 with a hit in each game. 


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