Free agent reliever Noah Murdock signed with the Pirates, he announced on social media. It’s a minor league deal that was agreed upon last week, according to the MLB.com transaction log.
Murdock, a 6’8″ righty, made his big league debut this year as a Rule 5 pick of the Athletics. He struggled over his five weeks in Mark Kotsay’s bullpen, giving up 25 runs across 17 innings. Murdock walked 20 and hit two more, far too many free passes around which to work. The A’s designated him for assignment in the middle of May. That sent him back to his original organization, the Royals, where he was assigned to Triple-A Omaha. Murdock allowed six earned runs per nine across 21 frames before suffering a season-ending injury.
The ’25 season clearly didn’t go to plan. Murdock is only a year removed from showing promise against upper minors hitters, though. He combined for 62 2/3 innings of 3.16 ERA ball between Double-A and Triple-A in 2024. He posted plus strikeout (27%) and ground-ball (59.7%) rates behind a 95 MPH sinker and a pair of breaking balls — a high-80s cutter and a low-80s slider. Murdock has thus far been held back by an inability to throw strikes consistently. He has walked well over 10% of batters faced at every stop since rookie ball. That included a massive 15.4% walk rate even in his otherwise strong ’24 season.
Pittsburgh will presumably give Murdock a look in big league camp. He has a full slate of options and could bounce between PNC Park and Triple-A Indianapolis if he pitches his way onto the 40-man roster.
Well they wanted a BIG splash. He’s 6’8. Guess that’s it
Could be next Glasnow. 6 8 good stuff no control. Just need to trade him to Rays.
“ he has a full slate of options “
Just what Cherington loves in his dumpster diving style
I know, it’s about depth
But we need OFFENSE too!
It’s good to have options vs having no options
Well, there’s always unlocked potential in ANY 6’8″ pitcher that can’t throw strikes.
just what we need, another pitcher who suffers from Steve Blass syndrome
Steve Blass at one time had control. This guy hasn’t since I dunno when.
Murdock, the Man Without Fear!
Just need to know what a team can see in someone like this?? He makes Colin Holderman look like Rivera.
I think it’s pretty easy to see why a team would have interest in him: he’s 6’8″, throws mid-90s with good movement from a low arm slot, had a 109 Stuff+, and both his cutter and sweeper got a whiff over a third of the time. Not arguing he’s good, but he has upside and has many of the same problems Justin Lawrence had before coming to the Pirates, and look how good he turned out.
Murdock, the Man Without Fear could have even seen I was referencing a platoon hitters splits and not just randomly lying about someone’s ops.
My first comment to you was “Where are you getting a .856 OPS in 2023 from? He only had a .793 OPS” and you only said you got it from Baseball Reference, not that you got it from his splits, not that you got it from Baseball Reference’s splits page, just “A lil site called baseball reference.” Sorry if I did offend you with what I said, but you kept commenting the same stat over and over, and when I asked you where it came from, you never specified where it came from.
yeah, Lawrence was so good he missed most of the season due to injury
They already tried Holderman and they haven’t tried fixing this guy.
Even Matt Murdock could have seen it!
Come on now. Just needed to reply lol. That was a lil bit funny right? Lil bit witty creative how I worked your Murdock comment in right? You don’t dislike me that much do you? Can’t we be like semi almost kinda sorta maybe friends?
Hard to be friends when I can’t even reply to you. When you mute someone the reply option goes away forever even if you unmute them. Can’t be friends until you get a new user name. We can still have a lil fun though? Maybe? Just a tiny fractional amount?
who are you talking to, Dream?
Perhaps himself, TheMan3
I must admit that I talk to myself but I am old and live alone.
AI does not have those excuses.
@TheMan 3
No one now. MUTED
I think the schnapps is affecting your writing, my friend. Either that or I need someone to translate what you’re trying to say
Now that they have added “Howling Mad” Murdock; can additions of Templeton Peck, B A Baracus, and John “Hannibal” Smith be far behind?
Hope so, Jacksson, because I love it when a plan comes together.
That said, I know it’s only late November but it’s great the Pirates are adding to their one strength
Another waste signing for a schmuck. Cherry cherrington where’s the hitters?
Woah, cmon Ben, we gotta keep some dollars for Alonso and Kyle, lmao