NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Sean Murphy experienced the most frustrating year of his career last year and then missed most of this year¡¯s Spring Training with a cracked rib. But as Braves camp is coming to a close, the 2023 All-Star is confident he can get back to where he was at this same point entering last year, when he was considered to be one of the best, if not the best catcher in baseball.
¡°I¡¯m still the same guy,¡± Murphy said. ¡°I just got to get over this little speed bump.¡±
Murphy was cleared to resume some baseball activities this week. His offensive work has been limited to dry swings. But he¡¯s doing some defensive work and will gradually increase the intensity of each activity. A targeted return date remains unclear. But if all goes well, he could be less than three weeks from rejoining Atlanta¡¯s lineup.
Top prospect Drake Baldwin is the shiny new toy who has been highlighted throughout camp. The 23 year-old Wisconsin native has shown a lot of promise and the Braves are confident he will adequately serve as their primary catcher while Murphy misses the season¡¯s first week or two with the cracked rib he suffered when he was hit by a pitch during a Feb. 28 game against the Marlins.
But the Braves also have something special in Murphy, who has already proven he can be successful at the Major League level. Murphy and Phillies backstop J.T. Realmuto led all MLB catchers with the identical 13.4 fWAR they produced from 2021-23.
Unfortunately, this is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business. So, many fans have remained focused on the fact Murphy hit .193 with a .636 OPS in 72 games last year. He missed two months after tearing his left oblique muscle while taking a swing during the sixth inning of the Opening Day game in Philadelphia.
Recovering from a broken bone as opposed to damaged tissue is different in multiple ways, especially from a mental standpoint. Even if it was just subliminal, there¡¯s reason to wonder if some of Murphy¡¯s struggles last year could be blamed on the fear of tearing his oblique muscle again while swinging.
¡°I felt comfortable,¡± Murphy said. ¡°I didn¡¯t feel like I was going to hurt myself again last year. I¡¯m real disappointed to miss [Spring Training], but this is a lot easier to recover from.¡±