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Thursday November 24, 2011

 

Jonathan Hacohen:  We are proud to welcome to MLB reports: Tanner Murphy, catching prospect for the Baltimore Orioles.  Tanner was a 22nd round selection for the Orioles in the 2010 draft.  At 19-years of age, Tanner recently completed his 2nd season with the Orioles organization, playing in the Gulf Cost League.   Coming off elbow surgery,  Tanner looks to be healed and ready for the start of spring training.  2012 represents a big year for Tanner as continues to work his way up the Orioles ladder and one day join the big club in Baltimore.

Featured on MLB reports, I proudly present my interview with baseball prospect, Tanner Murphy:

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MLB reports:  Welcome to MLR reports Tanner and thank you for taking the time today for us.  Who was your favorite baseball player growing up, that you most idolized and patterned your game after?

Tanner Murphy:  Growing up, I idolized Ken Griffey Jr. And Paul Lo Duca.

MLB reports:  Which current MLB star do you most admire and why?

Tanner Murphy:  The current MLB player would be Matt Wieters because he smart and smooth behind the plate.

MLB reports:  Reflecting on your career to-date, what are your proudest accomplishments on the baseball field?

Tanner Murphy:  I would have to say every game that our team wins and all games when our pitchers feel comfortable no matter what happens on the mound.

MLB reports:  What are your goals going into the 2012 season?

Tanner Murphy:  I have many many goals going into this next season.  A couple main goals are to stay healthy the whole season and to become a better catcher and hitter than I was the year before and learn.

MLB reports:  When you first found out you were drafted, what was going through your mind?

Tanner Murphy:  Honestly, the first thing that what went through my mind was: Wow!  It was almost surreal.  I worked so hard towards that day growing up.

MLB reports:  What round did you expect to be drafted and what was the process like signing with the Orioles?

Tanner Murphy:  I really wasn’t thinking an exact round, just was going with the flow. The process was a lot of phone calls and thinking and guessing. It was a very busy process.

MLB reports:  What do you consider your greatest baseball skill(s)?

Tanner Murphy:  I feel that I am pretty skilled in all aspects of the game, but everyday I can learn and get better to become the best that I can be.

MLB reports:  What facets of your game do you most wish to improve upon?

Tanner Murphy:  I feel every part of my game. There is always room for improvement. It is a game of failure and you can’t be perfect in this game.

MLB reports:  How do strikeouts and walks figure into your game?

Tanner Murphy:  Strikeouts actually tell you a lot about your next at-bats and can help me become a better hitter. Walks are the same way- just reading the pitchers.

MLB reports:  Do you see any of these items changing over time and to what degree?

Tanner Murphy:  Yes. I see that from strikeouts and walks I will continue to get better learning which pitches that I can handle and can’t handle during each of my at-bats.

MLB reports:  Long term do you see yourself staying behind the plate considering Matt Wieters is the current starting catcher? How do you view your role in the organization?

Tanner Murphy:  As for now, I do see myself still behind the plate.  Given my age, I have some time.  I feel that my role is to get better and do everything I can do to help the big league club win.

MLB reports:  How do you see defense as part of your overall game?

Tanner Murphy:  Defense is the most important part of my game.  Being a catcher, I see everything and handle the pitchers.  My job consists of making the pitchers get through the game, no matter the situation and to know the other hitters.

MLB reports:  If you had to look into a crystal ball, when do you see your expected time of arrival in the big leagues and what do you think you need to do most to get there?

Tanner Murphy:   I can’t really put a time on getting there.  I just need to do everything and work hard to get myself there.  No matter how long it takes.

MLB reports:  Has pro ball been everything you expected it to be thus far?

Tanner Murphy:  For the most part yes.  There have been some things I wasn’t expecting, but that is the case in everyday life as well.

MLB reports:  What do you do for fun when you are not playing baseball?  Best friend(s) on the team that you most hang out with and what do you guys like to do to chill?

Tanner Murphy:  When baseball is done for the season, I just hang out, travel, visit family, watch some football and basketball (when there is not a lockout).   But doing that can only last for a couple of months, until the end of November.  At the start of December, I usually start training again getting ready for the season.

MLB reports:  Tell us more about your recent elbow surgery:  what was the nature of the injury leading up to the surgery and how is your recovery going?

Tanner Murphy:  I had surgery on my right elbow- my throwing arm.  I had an ulnar nerve transposition.  The nerve when I was throwing was so loose that when throwing, it would move.  When I was throwing then moving back every time it became loose to the point that I could feel it.  I had numbing in my ring and pinky fingers. As for my recovery, I am ahead of schedule.   I have no more numbing and have a full range of motion.  I should be all ready for spring training come February/March.

MLB reports:  Do you have a favorite pre-game meal?

Tanner Murphy:  I never really had a favorite pre-game meal.  But I always do the exact same thing before every game.

MLB reports:  Final Thoughts?

Tanner Murphy:  Glad to help out.  For the readers:  hope you enjoy!  Thanks MLB reports.

Thank you again to Tanner Murphy for taking the time to join us today on MLB reports.  We highly encourage our readers to post at the bottom of the article any questions and/or comments that you may have for Tanner.  As well, please follow Tanner onTwitter (@TMurphy20)

Jonathan Hacohen is the Lead Baseball Columnist & Editor for MLB reports:  You can follow Jonathan on Twitter (@JHacohen)

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