The Athletics used their first pick in the Rule 5 Draft to select 6-foot-8 right-hander from the Kansas City Royals’ Triple-A roster.
Murdock, 26, was originally drafted by the Royals in the seventh round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Virginia. He transitioned to a relief role in 2023, which has yielded better results, posting ERAs of 2.22 in Double-A and 3.76 in Triple-A over the past two seasons. However, his high walk rates—14.7% in 2023 and 15.8% in 2024—remain a concern for his long-term success in the majors. On the flip side, Murdock’s strikeout rates have been strong, climbing from 25.5% in 2023 to 27.9% in 2024, driven by his three above-average pitches.
FanGraphs highlighted Murdock’s sinker, which has above-average movement and could be critical if he can consistently keep the pitch low in the zone. They also noted his slider (81-85 mph) and cutter (87-90 mph), which share a similar short break but differ in velocity, adding depth to his arsenal.
At first glance, Murdock resembles Joe Boyle in that both possess strong stuff but occasionally struggle with command. While the Athletics’ bullpen already has several capable arms, Murdock’s intriguing skillset makes him a worthwhile gamble in the Rule 5 Draft.
Additionally, Murdock’s high ground ball rates—an impressive 62.1% across 38 1/3 Triple-A innings last season—make him particularly appealing to the A’s. With the team transitioning to Sutter Health Park, a more hitter-friendly venue than the Oakland Coliseum, the front office appears focused on acquiring ground ball pitchers to mitigate the challenges of their new environment.
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