Catching Up With: Colton Murray

On the final day of August in 2015, the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs wrapped up a series victory with an 8-3 win at Syracuse on a Monday evening.

As Colton Murray and the rest of the Iron Pigs headed back to the visiting clubhouse, readying for the next trip to Pawtucket, the Lehigh Valley coaching staff began calling to the office the players who would be headed to Philadelphia as September call-ups.

Murray's name had not been mentioned.

"I wasn't really expecting to get called up," Murray says. "I wasn't on the 40-man (roster) or anything like that.

"So I was just getting dressed. I was eating. I was packing up all my stuff."

Iron Pigs manager Dave Brundage then summoned Murray in for a conversation.

The Lehigh Valley coaching staff went to work critiquing the 25-year old right-hander. It was feedback that Murray had heard before.

"They started talking about how I need to get my times to home better," Murray says. "I'm too slow to the plate, need to work on staying ahead of hitters."

As the conversation drew on, Murray's thoughts shifted to the impending five-hour road trip.

"I was like 'Alright, I've got to catch the bus, it leaves in like five minutes.'

"They were like, 'No you don't. You've got to taxi back to the hotel.'

'You're going to the big leagues.'"

After five years progressing in the Phillies' farm system, Murray had caught the attention of the decision-makers in Philadelphia. He posted a career 3.30 ERA and struck out a batter per inning during his time in the minors, and now the former 13th-round draft pick was rewarded with a spot on the 40-man roster, and his first call to the Major Leagues with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Murray joined the team in New York for a series against the Mets, and on September 2nd the call came down for Murray to take the mound, with the Phillies trailing 8-4 in the eighth inning.

He quickly induced a flyout to centerfield from Curtis Granderson to secure his first big-league out. Yoenis Cespedes then got ahold of a 1-2 offering from Murray, homering to center, but Murray maintained his composure. He settled in to strike out Michael Cuddyer and David Wright to end the frame.

Murray did not feel intimidated upon taking the hill on the big league stage. It was only later, when watching video of his debut, that he noticed the extra adrenaline.

"I actually wasn't that nervous until I actually watched myself when I was pitching," he says. "Then I realized I was breathing a lot heavier than I normally would."

Murray went on to make seven more appearances out of the Phillies' pen, amassing nine strikeouts in his 7.2 innings.

As he did in Clearwater back in 2012-2014, Murray still keeps opponents off-balance with a low to mid-90's fastball and a strong spike curveball. Recently however, he has been working to re-implement a slider and changeup into his repertoire.

"I want to throw more of a changeup," he says. "I think last year I could probably count on one hand how many of them I threw, and I'd like to add that into it. Just to know that I can get another pitch over for a strike."

Murray spent the latter half of 2012 in the Threshers' bullpen, and the next season served as the primary closer for the club, collecting 11 saves. After a strong showing in 11 games to start the 2014 season, Murray finally earned the promotion up to Double-A Reading. His career has steadily progressed since then, with ERA's in the 2.00's each of the last two seasons.

Now in big league Spring Training for the first time, the Overland Park, Kansas native is battling to secure a spot on the Phillies' Opening Day roster.

In his first three games, Murray has not permitted a run. Nor has he walked a batter in 3.2 innings.

He has also taken advantage of the opportunity to learn from a new group of experienced hurlers.

"If it's anybody in here, I've probably spoken to him," Murray says. "I'm open to talking to people. So I've talked to (Edward) Mujica, (Charlie) Morton. I've talked to (Andrew) Bailey, Obie (Brett Oberholtzer). There isn't someone I haven't spoken to."

"Lots of new faces, actually a lot of good knowledge coming in here.

"It's been good so far. I'm enjoying my first big league camp."