GATEWAY'S JOHN MURPHY SIGNED BY REDS
The Gateway Grizzlies are proud to announce that relief pitcher John Murphy has been signed by the Cincinnati Reds. He is the 49th former Grizzlies player to sign with a Major League organization in the franchise's 22-year history, and the first since Grant Black was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2020.
Originally acquired by the Grizzlies in a trade from the Washington Wild Things in July of 2021, the 6'4" right-hander put it all together this past season on the mound, recording nine saves in 38 appearances with a 2.80 ERA, and striking out a whopping 63 batters in just 35 1/3 innings, a rate of 16.05-per-nine-innings, while also issuing only eight walks. For his efforts, he was named a Frontier League midseason all-star. He also previously struck out 28 batters in 19 1/3 innings over 14 games for Gateway in 2021 after the trade from Washington.
It will be the first time for the Merchantville, New Jersey native playing in the affiliated minor leagues after four years in the independent and "partner league" ranks. In addition to his experience with the Wild Things, Murphy also pitched two seasons in the United Shore Professional Baseball League. He spent his college career in the Big Ten at the University of Maryland, where he had 11 saves and 53 strikeouts over 33 1/3 innings in his senior year as the Terps' closer in 2019.
"I am tremendously proud and excited for what's in store for John," Grizzlies manager Steve Brook said. "The Reds are attaining both an amazing talent on the mound and an exceptional human being. Murphy deserves this opportunity, and will absolutely thrive at the affiliated level. The Gateway Grizzlies are thankful to be a step on his path towards the big leagues."
The Gateway Grizzlies are a professional baseball team, located a mere 10 minutes from downtown St. Louis in Sauget, Illinois. The Grizzlies offer baseball fans affordable, family fun at GCS Credit Union Ballpark with a great view of the St. Louis skyline. They have also won two Frontier League Organization of the Year Awards, three West Division titles, and the 2003 Frontier League Championship. For tickets or general information, please visit gatewaygrizzlies.com or call (618) 337-3000.
The Frontier League debuted in 1993, and is the largest of the Major League Baseball Partner Leagues, featuring teams stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River, and from the Ohio River to the St. Lawrence Seaway. More information and the complete 2022 schedule can be found at frontierleague.com.
