June 15, 2019
Photo credit: Mark Steffens
Right-handed pitcher Joey Murray has been a reliable starter at two different levels in 2019.
Murray, who has pitched 67 innings split between Lansing and Dunedin; has racked up 81 K’s, while maintaining a WHIP of 1.13, and holding opposing hitters to just a .216 mark against him; is on the fast track to increased innings at higher levels soon.
Finding success on the mound with his four pitch mix, which includes: a 4-seam fastball, a changeup, a curveball, and a slider/cutter; has helped Murray keep hitters off-balance all year.
While, Murray tries to utilize every pitch during an outing he admits that he uses his fastball the most.
“I rely heavily on my fastball,” explained Murray. “I typically throw about 65-70% fastballs per game, but I’ve had games where it’s been over 80%. It has been my best and favorite strikeout pitch for the past few years.”
Another pitch that’s really helping Murray this season is his changeup. Viewed as an important pitch for success in pro ball, Lansing Lugnuts’ Pitching Coach Tony Caceres helped the prospect master the pitch this spring.
“I have made a lot of progress on my changeup this year,” stated Murray. “It has gone from my worst pitch that I never used, to being my second best pitch, and an off-speed pitch that I can throw for either a strikeout or a strike in the zone. While I was in Lansing this year pitching coach Tony Caceres and I worked on it countless times. As time went on I became more and more comfortable with it.”
And that increased feel for the changeup has shown in his Florida State League outings. In fact, Murray has only allowed six earned runs in 36 1/3 FSL innings to date.
Another factor to his high-A success are the adjustments that he made to playing in warm weather every day.
“The biggest adjustment is the weather,” said Murray. “The air in the Midwest League was dry and cold, while the Florida air is humid and hot. When I was promoted I had to get a better feel for how certain pitches were coming out of my hand and be able to adjust to the change. ”
Be sure to follow Joey Murray’s season, as he continues to be a reliable arm in the system moving forward.