Auburn baseball commit Hayden Murphy looking to be best version of himself
CHULA, Ga. (BVM) — Hayden Murphy has emerged as the No. 5 player in the loaded state of Georgia and a prospect for the 2022 MLB Draft.
But for Murphy, it was all about football early on. That was until he bowed out of the sport due to head injuries.
After being diagnosed with one of a handful of concussions he endured while playing the sport, Murphy and his family felt it was time to change course when he was in fourth grade.
鈥淢y dad was like, 鈥楴o more football,鈥欌�� Murphy said. 鈥淚 think that was the turning point for baseball.鈥�
In the end, it seems like everything has worked out for Murphy. Now a high school senior, the 6-foot-3 righthander is the anchor of the pitching staff at Tiftarea Academy in Chula, Georgia, and is committed to play at Auburn University.
Murphy鈥檚 emergence was not sudden, as the Georgia native has been a regular on the travel ball circuit since he was 14, holding his own against lineups filled with Power 5 talent.
鈥淚 was like, 鈥楳aybe there鈥檚 a chance,鈥� Murphy said.聽
Little did Murphy know, he was one of the top kids there. He received collegiate attention early, committing to the Tiger baseball program as just a freshman.
https://twitter.com/haydenmurphy03/status/1041500293891014656
鈥淚 just liked the people at Auburn,鈥� Murphy said. 鈥淚鈥檝e had a great relationship with them since early ninth grade year and that hasn鈥檛 changed. If anything it has gotten 20 times better and that鈥檚 how it needs to be. That鈥檚 why I loved it and still love it to this day.鈥�
The only possible wrench in the way of Murphy heading to Auburn is this summer鈥檚 draft.
ranks Murphy as the No. 143 player in this year鈥檚 crop, putting him in the running to be selected in the fourth to fifth round.
鈥淚t鈥檚 something I think about, but it鈥檚 not something I stress about,鈥� Murphy said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just a blessing if anything. You鈥檝e got two options, which both are great options. It鈥檚 a win-win situation either way.鈥�
While Murphy鈥檚 repeatable delivery and ability to consistently throw strikes are enticing, it鈥檚 his competitive nature that sets him apart from the rest.
鈥淚 just love competing,鈥� Murphy said. 鈥淚t could be a nobody or it could be the No. 1 player in the class. I just love doing it. Love competing.鈥�
One pitcher that Murphy enjoys watching that shares the same competitive edge is Ian Anderson of the Atlanta Braves.
鈥淚 just like how he pitches,鈥� Murphy said. 鈥淚 watched him when he first got called up to the Braves and I really liked how he threw. I kind of went off him. Not really pitching wise, but just how he threw to hitters. With his sequences and stuff like that. I liked how he did it and I kind of do the same thing.鈥�
Similar to Anderson鈥檚 high school days, Murphy has had his fair share of attending Perfect Game showcases and high school All-American games. A recognition that he takes pride in.
Hayden Murphy (GA) w/ a smooth, fluid operation and easy low-90s heat. Lots of whip to the arm & flashed a hard SL @ 86.
— Dick鈥檚 Sporting Goods All-American Classic (@PGAllAmerican)
鈥淚t鈥檚 something I will always remember,鈥� Murphy said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 pretty cool. You can鈥檛 ever take that back. We were sitting in the dugout and the Padres were playing that day. Next thing you know, Eric Hosmer comes walking in. I can always tell people that I played in those.鈥�
No matter the decision Murphy makes in July, he has plenty of time to make more memories throughout his baseball journey.
鈥淚 just want to be the best baseball player I can be,鈥� Murphy said. 鈥淕etting to the big leagues and being a World Series champion in college are all cool things, but I want to just know and be the best Hayden Murphy in baseball and in life. Those are things I鈥檓 hoping to accomplish.鈥�