Charleston's Ultimate Utility Player - John Murphy

In a recent stretch of Charleston RiverDogs games, John Murphy played six defensive positions over five appearances. Even utility players do not regularly bounce around the diamond like that, but it still serves as a perfect microcosm for Murphy's role with Charleston in 2014.

Murphy only played at shortstop for most of his baseball career dating back to his youth. As a member of the RiverDogs, he has now played every infield position, left and right field, and has also been ready to serve as an emergency pitcher and catcher if needed.

"I feel like I have branched out a lot, especially now because I am not dreading playing a position," Murphy said. "It's knowing that wherever I am going to be, I am comfortable. I think that is huge for me now and down the road."

When Murphy started to play sports as a child, he stuck to baseball and basketball because those were the sports that he and his friends often played with each other. Murphy was primarily a shortstop and rarely played anything else when he was growing up.

"When I played AAU baseball before high school, I played outfield, but that was it," Murphy said. "Everything else was shortstop the rest of my life."

The New York Yankees drafted Murphy in 2013 after he wrapped up his college career at Sacred Heart University. Murphy led the Pioneers to four straight Northeast Conference Championship games and back-to-back NCAA berths in 2011 and 2012. He became the highest draft selection in Pioneer history last year when the Yankees picked him in the sixth round.

Murphy started his professional career with the short-season Single-A Staten Island Yankees last season. Other than three late-season starts at second base, he played exclusively at shortstop. Entering the 2014 season, the Yankees asked Murphy if he would become a utility player.

"When they asked me in Spring Training, I was a little iffy about it. I did not know exactly how it would be, but now through the course of the season, it is getting me a lot more at bats, a lot more playing time. Now that I am comfortable everywhere, I like it a lot."

Murphy made his first RiverDogs starts at second base, third base, and first base. He did not play at shortstop until switching to his natural position during a road game at Delmarva on April 27. On June 29 at Kannapolis, Murphy started in right field and switched to first base later in the game. His next four starts came as a left fielder, shortstop, second baseman, and third baseman.

Because he plays at so many different positions, Murphy needs to adapt to each spot. Among the changes that Murphy deals with are differences in his line of sight, his mechanics and positioning to execute various plays, and the trajectory and movement of a batted ball.

"The biggest adjustment is knowing your job on each play," Murphy said. "I am not used to cutting balls off from the outfield for the play at the plate or turning a double play from third. It is just a little different view, but I am comfortable now."

Throughout the 2014 season, Murphy has bounced between positions on defense but has been very consistent at the plate. He has batted near the .300 mark for most of the season and also carries a career-high 13-game on-base streak through the past weekend.

Murphy looks forward to the future and his potential to continue his professional career as a utility player. As Murphy reflects on his time in the Lowcountry, he is very happy for the opportunities that he has enjoyed with the RiverDogs.

 "I am very glad that I got this experience for my first full season. Just from the fan standpoint to the setting to the coaching staff to everything, it just worked out really well. And I just hope that we can finish strong here."