For the Atlanta Braves, Owen Murphy’s return from Tommy John surgery has been about as flawless as anyone could dream. On Saturday, the 21-year-old righty carved through his latest outing — 5 1/3 innings, one hit, one walk, four strikeouts. He threw 77 pitches, 70% for strikes, and walked off the mound looking like a pitcher who never skipped a beat.
That’s been the theme since he got back. Add up his rehab starts and his time with High-A Rome, and Murphy is carrying video game numbers: a spotless 0.00 ERA, a 0.30 WHIP, a .060 opponent batting average, and 22 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings. The only thing missing from his line is the word “perfect.” For a guy less than a month removed from rejoining competitive action, this isn’t just promising — it’s downright electric.
Climbing the Prospect Ladder
Murphy’s dominance hasn’t gone unnoticed. MLB.com recently bumped him up to the Braves’ No. 10 overall prospect, a fitting nod for the 20th overall pick in the 2022 draft. At 21, he’s showcasing the same poise and upside that made him a first-rounder in the first place.
The Braves are keeping him on a once-a-week schedule, pitching every Saturday. It’s a cautious but smart approach, allowing him to stretch out gradually without overloading his arm. If he continues building up — reaching six innings or a 90-pitch workload — a promotion to Double-A Mississippi before the season ends feels very much in play.
Braves’ Pitching Depth Looks Stronger Than Ever
If Murphy makes that jump, Atlanta would suddenly have four of its top-10 pitching prospects playing at Double-A or higher: JR Ritchie and Didier Fuentes are already in Triple-A, while Hurston Waldrep has broken into the big leagues. Cam Caminiti is still working his way up in Single-A, Garrett Baumann is right there with Murphy in High-A, and Briggs McKenzie is waiting for his turn in the complex league.
For a franchise that’s been ravaged by pitching injuries at the major league level, the farm system is quietly building a safety net — and Owen Murphy is quickly becoming one of its brightest anchors. His recovery isn’t just a win for the Braves’ development staff. It’s a reminder that even after Tommy John, elite talent has a way of rising back to the top.
