Q&A with Arizona State Commit Brendan Murphy

September 29, 2015

By Matt Huck
Area Scout

Recently 2017 LHP Brendan Murphy of Mundelein High School committed to Arizona State. Murphy is currently ranked No. 15 in the Illinois Class of 2017 and No. 117 in the PBR Overall Ranks. Murphy will join Brady Corrigan in the Sun Devils 2017 recruiting class out of Illinois. Murphy represented Illinois at the PBR Future Games this past summer, here is a report on him from the event.

Brendan Murphy Future Games 2015 - Prototypical, athletic body 6-foot-3, 180-pound is one of the top uncommitted left-handed pitchers in the 2017 class in Illinois. The left-hander with pitch ability also showed that he has swing and miss stuff evidenced by his outings at the Future Games. In his two innings of work Murphy struck out five batters. Also, flashed one of the best change-ups for Team Illinois at the Future games. Fastball arm speed, plus action, a swing and miss offering, at 75 mph. Smooth, easy, clean arm action. Operates from a high ¾ slot, slow-paced delivery, athletic finish. Also, mixed in a 1/7 curveball, with feel at 75 mph. Fastball had arm-side-run, sitting 81-84 mph and touching 85. Projectable lefty should be a high follow moving forward.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it as expected? Easy/Difficult?

Murphy: At first I thought the recruiting process was going to be hard. But as I got further into it and more comfortable talking to coaches I found it pretty easy. The hardest part for me in the recruiting process was calling the schools to tell them that I had committed to ASU.

PBR: What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Murphy: I was looking for a coaching staff that has had success in the past and also a program that has had success in the past and I felt Arizona State was the one for me.

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

Murphy: I would say that location played a factor in my decision because I’ve been going to Arizona my whole life to see family. So as soon as I got there it felt like home for me. I also have family who live in Arizona so that played a small factor in my decision.

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Was there a particular game or event that you feel turned the corner for you?

Murphy: I would say throughout my whole high school season. But if I were to pick a game I would choose the one against wheeling. This is because PBR came out to see a player on Wheeling but the were also watching me. That game PBR had me at 88 so I think that kicked it all off. That’s the game where Todd Coryell of the Giants saw me and told Andy Stack about me so that's how I’m playing for the Reds Scout Team. After that I had colleges coming to watch me at almost every game I pitched. So that's where I think it all started

PBR: Where did the college you chose first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?

Murphy: Arizona State first saw me at my sectional championship against Stevenson. My relationship developed just by staying in contact and talking to get to know each other.

PBR: What do you like most about the college you committed to and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Murphy: What I liked most about my decision is the coaching staff, the program, and the campus. I’ve always wanted to play baseball at ASU ever since I was 11. But the key factor would probably be the coaching staff because they’re awesome and I got to know them really quick. Also previous success of both the program and coaching staff played a big roll in my decision.

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

Murphy: Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, and Louisville.

PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

Murphy: I would say after the PG underclass tournament in Ft. Myers in the fall of my sophomore year I realized I was a college caliber player when I was able to compete and beat some of the top ranked players in the country. I’ve been serious about taking my game to the next level ever since the fall of my freshman year after the PG Midwest underclass showcase in Iowa.

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

Murphy: I would say to try and find something to get better at every time you pick up the ball or bat and in the off-season just get after it and work hard.

PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

Murphy: Probably this past season the my high school team because of winning the conference and regional championships because the dog piles and Portillos and hanging out the team after were a lot of fun

PBR: Preview your high school season for us. How do you feel your team will be? What are your expectations and goals?

Murphy: This year I think we have a chance to be really good because my class has been playing together since we’ve been in little league and we are just really good together and then adding the talent from the seniors will top that off and I think we will compete and make a good run in the playoffs.

PBR: Where do you play in the summer? And what has been your most memorable experience with them?

Murphy: This up coming summer I will be playing with Marucci Elite for the first time in the summer so it will be a fun and exciting experience.

Q&A with Arizona State Commit Brendan Murphy

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