Ethan
Murray

Murray earned first-team Freshman All-America honors in 2019 after hitting .305/.391/.445 and playing strong defense at shortstop for a super regional club. He got off to a slow start this spring but bounced back strong this summer in the Coastal Plain League, hitting .311/.400/.459 with two homers, three doubles and 12 RBIs through 61 at-bats. Murray features a well-rounded tool set. He has smooth actions and very good range at shortstop, where he throws accurately from a variety of arm angles as necessary. At the plate, the righthanded hitter uses an open stance and a high hand setup, then deploys a big leg lift for timing and power. Murray has surprising pop in his compact 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame, and he has shown the ability to drive the ball to all fields. He sees the ball well and should be able to hit for average in pro ball, with a chance to also develop fringy to average power. Murray is a below-average runner, but he’s an intelligent baserunner who picks his spots well. Though he doesn’t have a singular tool that leaps off the page, his excellent makeup and baseball instincts make his balanced skills package play up further, giving him a strong chance to be drafted on day one in 2021.

5.24.17: Murray has a lanky frame, shorter arm action that is free and quick, throws from a low three-quarters arm slot with easy effort. Drop and drive delivery, shoulders are downhill and closed, lands square with an athletic finish. Fastball sat 86-87 early in the game with hard run to it. Was still working 82-86 in the fifth inning. Hard 10/4 slider that bit very late with good armspeed, 72-76, swing and miss pitch. Showed overall awareness of upsetting timing and of his own mechanics, changing his leg lift height and tempo when in the windup to mess up hitters without sacrificing command or velocity. At the plate, showed some bat speed and the ability to use the whole field, doubled to deep right. 

3.24.15-  Murray has a lanky frame and throws from a high three-quarters arm slot. His delivery is a bit rushed and choppy. He has a short, loose arm action that leads to a quick arm stroke. His shoulders are uphill and closed as he strides out to his target. Murray’s fastball sat 79-82, touching 83 with late armside run. He threw a good late-breaking 10/4 slider that ran 69-71. Murray also showed a splitter in the knuckled on the way in and had a gradual dive to it, running 68-69. Murray’s command was not consistent, but he battled against a tough lineup, and Liberty Christian was not able to put a good swing on his slider. Murray started the game at third base, and had good actions and athleticism in the field. At the plate, his swing mechanics are good but he presently lacks strength. As he matures, Murray could become a legitimate two-prospect with swing-and-miss stuff on the mound, plus defense in the infield, and gap power at the plate.