After getting drafted, I watched a lot of video of a BJ Mary hitting for Florida Atlantic University. I liked the fact that he was a switch-hitter and that he has a little bit of pop in his bat. With the Cubs needing third basemen in their system, I thought he’d be a good addition. He basically only finished two seasons in college as he had just 92 career games. Add in the fact that he’s only 20 years old and the Cubs can take their time with him over the next couple years to build a good foundation as a hitting prospect.
Basic Information
Age – 20
Position – 3B
Height – 6-foot
Weight – 205
Bats – Switch
Throws – Right
What I said on Draft Day…
A switch-hitting 3B with some serious pop, Murray was actually born in Nassau in The Bahamas. Murray‘s freshman season at Florida Atlantic is one he probably would like to forget. He played in 20 games but hit .086. His sophomore year, during the pandemic, was a little better, but it was clear he still was lacking in the finer points of the game as he barely hit .200. Then again, he had three home runs in just 15 games. That’s a pretty good pace for a college season. So another words, there was something there.
In 2021, Murray began to hit his stride. He hit .311 with an outstanding .424 0BP while also cranking out 14 home runs and driving in 52 as he slugged .584. That gives him a nice total of an OPS at 1.008. That’s really good.
I like the fact that the Cubs got a player that I might consider to be on the upswing. He’s not fully foundationally ready yet so his career arc the first couple years might involve a full year at Myrtle Beach and to let Buddy Bailey teach him the finer points of hitting and how to be a pro hitter.
While Murray is technically not maxed out physically, he’s pretty close. He could refine some muscles here and there, but I’m interested to see just exactly how much power he’s going to have in Low-A next year. Myrtle Beach is not really a home run place for Cubs’ prospects. The ball can leave the ball park as well as hang up in the wind for just a deep flyball. It plays better to line drive hitters and we’ll see if Murray is one of those.
Murray got in a lot of ABs in the Arizona Complex League after signing.
Murray hit .300 with a .916 OPS in September in Mesa with a 135 wRC+ in Mesa. Hit .286 overall with a 113 wRC+ in 2 months of action.
I’m pretty sure Murray’s going to be one of my sleepers for next year as I think the progression between 2020 and 2021 is encouraging. On film, he is really athletic in the field and on the basepaths. I’m looking forward to seeing how he does.
Cubs Central 
Todd, liked this pick in July, was 100% projection after showing something his Junior year. Also like that after starting very slow in Mesa, he worked, kept at it and finished strong. Lets see how Myrtle goes, there will be competition for playing time,so it will show how these young players react.
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