If you’re looking for silver linings in a down year for the Atlanta Braves, look no further than the electric return of pitching prospect Owen Murphy, who stepped back onto a mound for the first time in over a year — and reminded everyone why he’s one of the most hyped arms in the organization.
Murphy, the Braves’ No. 6 prospect, made his long-awaited return Tuesday with a start for the FCL Braves in the Florida Complex League, and he absolutely cruised. Three perfect innings. Five strikeouts. No baserunners. He struck out the side in the first, then came back and calmly silenced the next six hitters. The box score? Flawless. But it’s what wasn’t on the stat sheet that might be even more exciting.
According to Baseball Prospectus, Murphy generated 10 whiffs — all with a lively four-pitch mix of fastballs, sliders, curveballs, and changeups. His fastball sat in the 90–94 mph range, right where it was pre-injury during his breakout stretch with High-A Rome in 2023.
That’s huge. The velocity didn’t dip, the whiffs were there, and the command looked sharp. That’s everything you want to see from a pitcher coming off Tommy John surgery.
Promotion Coming For Owen Murphy?
Now, don’t be surprised if the Braves waste little time bumping him up. There’s buzz that Murphy’s next start could come in High-A Rome, where he left off — or possibly even Double-A Columbus, which would mark his first-ever promotion to that level. Given how sharp he looked, it wouldn’t be a shocker.
Before the injury derailed his 2023 season, Murphy was rolling. In just seven starts, he posted a 1.54 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, and a jaw-dropping 60 strikeouts in 41 innings. That kind of dominance from a 20-year-old in High-A was a blinking neon sign that he was tracking toward something special.
Let’s not forget, this kid was Atlanta’s first-round pick in 2022, fresh out of high school. He had committed to Notre Dame before opting to jump straight into pro ball.
His profile on MLB.com describes him as a “solid athlete on the mound” with a “repeatable delivery” and strong projection as a strike-thrower. The elbow surgery obviously set the clock back a bit, but the Braves knew it was a long play.
The best part? Even with that delay, Murphy is only 21 years old. And as his profile notes, the 2026 season could be the one where he goes full throttle again — potentially on a big-league track.
If this week’s start is any indication, that timeline might be just right. Braves fans need some hope, and Murphy just delivered it with a fastball that says, “Don’t forget about me.”
