Off-Season Check In: Jim Murphy

Throughout the autumn and winter months, we'll check in with various Phillies minor league players and inquire about how they try to maintain their baseball acumen during the long, drawn-out off-season. This latest installment features the most popular player in Lakewood BlueClaws history Jim Murphy.

A 17th round draft selection by the Phillies in 2008, the Washington state native Murphy has played as high as Class A Advanced Clearwater and has posted a .265 with 47 homeruns and 217 RBI in 420 regular season games during his four years as a professional.

The slugging first baseman injured his left hand in the final week of the regular season and has been rehabbing the injury following surgery. I spoke with Jim about his recovery, his training, helping out with local youth clinics and more. Read ahead to see what he had to say.

I just wanted to check and see how the off-season has been going for you. How has recovery been and how are you staying in shape? Anything specific you like to do?

This off-season was a little different after my hand injury. I was in a splint for a month and then did rehab for a month after a broken hamate bone suffered on August 30th. I finished rehab on November 3rd and made a full recovery with no post-op injuries.

Usually, I will take two weeks off from lifting and running after a season to recover and about two months off from hitting. This year I was forced to take two months off from hitting, so now that December has rolled around, I'm hitting 2-4 times a week and after January it will be more like 4-6 times a week until Spring.

I like to do Cross-Fit for strength training because it is so functional with Olympic lifts for strength. It has a combination that I haven't found anywhere else. I couple that with both distance and sprint workouts to get ready for Spring.

I know you took part in some clinics in Lakewood recently, where you got to work with children on their baseball skills. Do you think coaching is in your future and do the clinics help you prepare for that?

I don't know exactly what my future will hold but I would like to stay in the game in some capacity (after my playing days are over) whether it is coaching or some other type of office position. The clinics are a great way to stay involved in the game and start to learn how to communicate your knowledge of baseball to others.

I know we've talked before about your high level of popularity in Lakewood, based on the big money your game-worn jerseys always draw from the charity auctions and the loyal fan followings, but how much do you genuinely feel that level of love from the fans there and has NJ really become like a true second home for you because of that?

I definitely feel the love from the Lakewood fans. They were amazing to me this year. They show support through buying my jerseys and the mustache following I got. People genuinely seemed to enjoy me being in Lakewood more than any other minor league park. There are popular players in every yard, but I felt something different from Lakewood fans and I will always remember what a great time I had in 2009 and 2011.

_____________________________________________________

You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE

Prospect Nation 2012: #1 RHP Trevor May

With a massively impressive campaign in 2011 for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, right-handed starting pitcher Trevor May locked down his spot as Philadelphia's top prospect and is on the fast track toward the big leagues. He is the reigning Paul Owens Award winner, given to the top pitcher and player in the Phillies' developmental system each year. In 27 starts with the Threshers in 2011, May posted a 10-8 record with a 3.63 ERA, while striking out a Florida State League leading 208 batters in 151 1/3 innings. He also held opposing hitters to a .221 average. The Phillies' 4th round draft pick from 2008, May earned the win in the 50th annual Florida State League All-Star Game at Bright House Field last year. He also was twice named FSL Pitcher of the Week and earned Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors for June. After signing with Philadelphia, May helped lead the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies to a championship in 2008. In 5 regular

PhoulBallz Interview: RHP Ben Brown talks TJ recovery, O'Hoppe, cancelled season

Image- MiLB.com Out of action since last May when it was determined he required Tommy John surgery, righty pitching prospect Ben Brown is using the downtime of the pandemic hiatus to continue his physical recovery. A 33rd round draft selection of the Phillies back in 2017, Brown made his professional debut that same year, posting a 2.57 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP in 10 appearances in the rookie level Gulf Coast League. The following season, Brown began to make a name for himself in the GCL, striking out 16 batters in one July appearance. He would post a 3.12 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 10 games (eight starts) before earning a promotion and finishing the season with a pair of outings with Class A short-season Williamsport. Brown, a Long Island, NY native, opened last year with Class A Lakewood. In four appearances with the BlueClaws, he struck out 20, walked four and allowed no runs in 13 2/3 innings and looked well on his way to making an impact on betting odds and available promo codes

Who is Your Favorite Willie 'Mays' Hayes?

PhoulBallz.com is wondering which individual who has portrayed Willie "Mays" Hayes is the favorite of the public. Hayes, of course, is the character made famous in the Major League motion picture series. In Major League , Willie "Mays" Hayes was portrayed by budding Hollywood actor Wesley Snipes, who would go on to action movie superstardom. Snipes has starred in major motion pictures like the Blade trilogy, Passenger 57 , Undisputed and many more. Snipes remains an impact Hollywood actor, despite legal troubles related to income tax evasion. Snipes was replaced for the sequel, Major League II when his busy career, and possibly the film's budget, would not allow him to return, by Omar Epps. Another budding actor, Epps had previously worked with director David S. Ward, on the film The Program , and landed the role of Hayes, who had become a Hollywood action star over the off-season that occured between the two films. Epps' career portraying athletes rolle

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog