Now, this is the kind of redemption arc baseball fans live for. If anyone’s writing the script for the 2025 Atlanta Braves season, they better give Sean Murphy top billing.
Because after a 2024 that was, let’s be honest, rougher than a Georgia summer, the Atlanta catcher is erasing every doubt—one home run at a time.
From Written Off to Game Winner
Let’s talk about that home run. It was the bottom of the eighth, with the Braves down two and the rally underway. Murphy sent one flying for a three-run bomb that turned the game on its head and gave the Braves a 7–6 win over the Twins. You could feel the collective exhale from Truist Park to every couch in Braves Country.
After the game, Michael Harris II nailed it: “Just couldn’t get back on track, but now he’s looking back to himself.” Yeah. Exactly. Because this isn’t just a hot week, this is Sean Murphy reminding everyone who he actually is.
Murphy’s Numbers Speak Loudly
In just 11 games, Murphy already has five home runs and 11 RBIs. For context? He only hit nine homers and drove in 32 all of last year—in 72 games. Do the math. He’s halfway to both totals in one-sixth of the time.
That puts him:
- Tied for 3rd in home runs among MLB catchers
- Tied for 4th in RBIs
- On pace (yeah, it’s early) for a season with 50+ HRs and 100+ RBIs
And if he qualified in plate appearances right now, his .916 OPS and .590 slugging percentage would be second only to Seattle’s Cal Raleigh. Not just among Braves. Among all catchers. That’s elite territory.
Rewriting the Narrative
Let’s rewind to just a month ago. There was serious chatter among fans—”Should Murphy keep starting? Is Drake Baldwin the future?” People were ready to hand over the keys to a rookie, and Murphy was painted as damaged goods.
But here’s the thing: 2024 wasn’t a fair sample. An oblique injury on Opening Day basically robbed him of the whole year. Cracked ribs earlier this season didn’t help either.
But now? Now we’re seeing what a fully healthy Sean Murphy looks like—and it’s looking a lot like the 2023 All-Star version. Or maybe even better.
Bigger Than Just One Player For the Braves
Murphy’s resurgence is more than just a feel-good subplot. It’s directly tied to the Braves’ success. They’re 7–4 when he plays, 2–9 when he doesn’t. Coincidence? Doubtful. When your catcher’s mashing, controlling the game behind the plate, and leading in the clubhouse changes everything.
And let’s not forget—this is a guy who came into the year with something to prove. Now? He’s well on his way to proving everything. The conversation isn’t “Should he start” anymore—it’s “Can he win Comeback Player of the Year?” The team definitely believes in him, dropping a seasoned backup veteran to reactivate him.
If this pace keeps up, forget comeback—he might just swing his way into MVP chatter. Too soon? Of course. But after watching Sean Murphy turn boos into bombs, don’t count anything out.
