Scouting Report on Matt Murton

[Bob Sacamento]

In this installment of Cubshub.com Scouting Reports, we will be breaking down the expected Chicago Cubs' Opening Day leftfielder, Matt Murton. Last week's installment was Eric Patterson

Up next, outfield prospect Ryan Harvey.

Matt Murton
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 226
B/T: R/R
DOB: 10/3/1981
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Murton was the Red Sox first round (32nd overall) draft pick in the 2003 draft (signed July 8, 2003). He is a product of Georgia Tech, a school that has produced such MLB talent like Garciaparra, Kevin Brown, Mark Teixeira and Jason Varitek. And the site of recent Cub draftee Eric Patterson and acquitional trade of Richard Lewis. Boston drafted Murton with the 32nd overall pick in the 2003 draft.

Murton came over to the Cubs when Jim Hendry landed Nomar Garciaparra at the trade deadline in July, 2004. He was assigned to Class-A Daytona and seemed to slack off after a hot start with the Red Sox Class-A affiliate, Sarasota. With the BoSox, Murton batted .301 through 102 games but closed out the year hitting .252 in his final 24 games of the regular season at Daytona.

Murton won the 2004 Florida State League Homerun Derby while a member of Sarasota (outslugging Brandon Sing). Though he doesn't quite have the homerun power of say, Brandon Sing or Brian Dopirak, his strikeout totals (or lack thereof) are astonishing. The fact that he struck out only 42 times in 313 at bats while walking 29 times (in AA) speaks volumes as to his natural plate discpline.

2004 Sarasota (high A) BoSox

In 102 games, Murton was 113 for 376 with 60 runs, 16 doubles, 4 triples, 11 hrs, 55 rbi, 42 bb, 61 k, 5/9 sb, .301/.372/.452/.824 before being traded, yet staying in the same Florida State League.

2004 Daytona (high A) Cubs

For the Cubs after the trade, he appeared in 24 games, going 20 for 79 with 13 runs, 1 double, 1 triple, 2 hrs, 8 rbi, 8 bb, 10 k, 2/2 sb, .253/.326/.367/.693

2005 West Tenn (AA)

He appeared in 78 games, going 107 for 313 with 46 runs, 17 doubles, 4 triples, 8 hrs, 46 rbi, 29 bb, 42 k, 18/23 sb, .342/.403/.498/.901

2005 Iowa (AAA)

He appeared in 9 games going 12 for 34 with 4 runs, 2 doubles, 1 hr, 3 rbi, 4 bb, 8 k, .353/.421/.500/.921

2005 MLB

He appeared in 51 games going 45 for 140 with 19 runs, 3 doubles, 2 triples, 7 hrs, 14 rbi, 16 bb, 22 k, 2/3 sb, .321/.386/.521/.907


Batting And Power: Naturally Murton's stroke is built on solid line drive contact. Even when Murton makes outs he does it gracefully and puts the bat on the ball. Currently his power is considered gap-power but he did show flashes this season of monster strength. Scouts have long pegged Murton as a 15-20 hr hitter, but he does have the capability to slug 25-30. It's just that Murton is not the type hitter to sacrifice his contact for more of the power game. Which is good news for Cub fans, since we have enough poor contact, great power prospects. Murton is the perfect two hole hitter, he hits for contact, he can hit for power, he gets on base, he works counts, he takes walks, and he strikes out very little.

Baserunning And Speed: Murton has been described as a smart, above average baserunner. He's not the fastest guy on the team nor does he run like he's carrying a piano on his back. But the Cubs don't like to run too much, so don't expect to see Murton with more than 5-10 stolen bases.

Defense: Slightly above average arm in left field with an average glove. Solid, though not overly spectactular he will get the job done. In terms of other left fielders the Cubs have trotted out in recent history, Murton is easily the most defensive sound.

Biggest Strength: Plate discipline and MLB readiness

Murton is ready for the MLB, no doubt, which is quite an accomplishment for a player who was just drafted in th 2003 draft. His superb plate discipline is without question his skill that makes him so ready for a full time jump to the majors. An added edge that Murton has is his amazing fundamentals, he can do it all and do it very well. He's still going to grow physically into his body, which will add some more pop to his bat, turning some of those gapping doubles into homers.


Biggest Weaknesses: Power and Cubs' impatience

Murton showed a remarkable increase in his power this season, in AA he averaged a homer every 39 at bats, in MLB he averaged a homer every 20 at bats. His MLB sample is small, but Murton turned some of those gapping doubles into homers. Some were aided by the wind, but nonetheless, Murton has showed the ability and promise to slug .450 or beyond.

The only thing to really fear is that if some of his doubles don't drop, and some of the homers don't leave the yard, the Cubs could look to a tradeable commidity at the deadline. Leftfield is notoriously known as a power hitting position, and if Murton is not putting up the power numbers, Chicago will look elsewhere.


Keys to Success: Continue to walk and add power

One thing that can not be taken away from Murton is his uncanny ability to determine balls and strikes, and when to swing or layoff pitches. The kid knows how to hit in all aspects of the game, whether it's advancing a runner from 2nd to 3rd, working a count on a new pitcher, or knowing when to take a pitch the opposite way. At his tender age of 24, Murton is probably one of the most (if not the most) disciplined Cub hitters on the roster. And guess what, he's only going to keep getting better.

The only flaw to Murton's game is that he plays a power hitter's position, and he likes to play a contact hitter. He reminds me guys like Tony Gwynn or Mark Grace; they all could hit for more power but it would take away from their situational and contact aspects of their games, which made them vital to their team's run production. The good news is Murton has more natural power than either of those two, he has more of a body type of either Larry Walker or Bobby Abreu, which both hitters started off as contact hitters that later added their power naturally.


MLB Comparison and Projection: Larry Walker

When Murton was first drafted he was compared to Gabe Kapler. A guy who could be a great fourth outfielder with the potential to be an every day starter. The two are similiar in their muscular build and great in game fundamentals. But I don't end my comparison there. Sure Murton doesn't share Walker's superb arm or Larry's leftiness but Murton draws good offensive projections to Larry Walker especially an early Montreal Walker.

When Walker first started along he was Mr. Fundamental, he could do it all, play D, make good contact, run the bases very well, and showed flashes of his power. Neither Walker or Murton strike out rapidly, nor did Walker have tremendous homerun power (until he went to Colorado). Like Walker, Murton is one of the intangible guys, he brings multi-facets to his team, he's an asset to his club.

Bob’s Bottom Line: Barring some major turn of events, Murton will be given the starting role of left fielder for the 2006 season. But the Cubs won't stick with him for the entire season if he goes into a prolonged slump. That usually doesn't happen with a contact hitter with good plate discipline like Murton though. Ideally, Murton would be in the two spot but Baker might use the excuse of Murton is needed lower in the order for production, sixth or seventh. As long as Murton is in the lineup, the Cubs will have a youngster that puts up dependable numbers. Depending on his at bats, I fully expect to see Matt hit .280 or greater, along with a OBP-AVG differential of .65+, and a slugging percentage of .450+.

My only concern is that the Cubs use Murton as a trade chip down the stretch in order to win the division or wildcard in 2006. Many teams already want their hands on him, and will be requesting him in most deals at the deadline.

[otis89]

and if Murton is putting up the power numbers, Chicago will look elsewhere.

I think you mean if Murton is NOT putting up the power numbers. Why would we trade a solid left fielder with a good home run total?

[Ravenlord]

i have no doubt that Murton will develop some power given his frame. i think Murton will be a slightly better offensive version of Raul Ibanez.

[letsgocubbies]

I reall hope they don't get rid of Murton, I think he has not only a lot of skill already but just as much potential.

[NorthsidePride]

A right handed Larry Walker? Can't wait to see that.

[Bob Sacamento]

Half way through the season, talk amongst yourselves about Murton's play.

[Ravenlord]

lefties seem to have adjusted to him and he still hasn't learned to hit a major-league caliber bender from a righty. he needs to adjust to the pitcher's adjustments.

[BelieveForever'03]

It seems to me that at the begining of the season he was very patient, almost too much so, waiting for his pitch. As the season went on he's gotten more impatient at the plate and doesn't seem to see as many pitches.

[otis89]

It seems to me that at the begining of the season he was very patient, almost too much so, waiting for his pitch. As the season went on he's gotten more impatient at the plate and doesn't seem to see as many pitches.

That's because Clines told him he needed to be more aggressive.

[BelieveForever'03]

That's because Clines told him he needed to be more aggressive.

Ya while that may not have been the best advice for him it would be nice if someone told him not to expand his strike zone so much.

[Whitesoxnut]

It seems to me that at the begining of the season he was very patient, almost too much so, waiting for his pitch. As the season went on he's gotten more impatient at the plate and doesn't seem to see as many pitches.

at's because Clines told him he needed to be more aggressive.

It seems to me that at the begining of the season he was very patient, almost too much so, waiting for his pitch. As the season went on he's gotten more impatient at the plate and doesn't seem to see as many pitches.

I thought he had the minor league rep of a patient hitter that didnt strike out much? I guess that doesnt fit into Dusty's philosophy of not clogging the base paths with walksh Murton is just another example of poor coaching failing to develop young players.

If it were me I'd call Murton in and tell him he was going to start every game for the rest of the season in LF, to forget any pressure about keeping the job, and play the baseball he's capable of. I think the kid is a keeper.

[rockin500]

That's because Clines told him he needed to be more aggressive.

thats because he DID need to be more aggressive. too bad some people dont realize that being aggressive isnt a bad thing. He simply has to learn to know which pitches he can handle, especially in the clutch situations. Oh, and looking at pitches down the pipe isnt being patient. its being passive and in any sport, passiveness=failure.

he has to play better, its pretty much that simple. And I'm not even referring to his plate appearances. I'm talking about his brutal play in left field. Manny Ramirez can play left field better than murton can. That should tell you his quality.

[Ravenlord]

It seems to me that at the begining of the season he was very patient, almost too much so, waiting for his pitch. As the season went on he's gotten more impatient at the plate and doesn't seem to see as many pitches.

Murton, pitches seen per plate appearance by month
Month	P/PA
Month	P/PA
April	3.87
May	3.58
June	3.68
July*	2.95
Total	3.59

NL average 3.76
LF average 3.87

*7 games played

[Ravenlord]

Manny Ramirez can play left field better than murton can. That should tell you his quality.

only when Manny was Murton's age. if Murton were to lose two steps off his jumps, than Manny would be a better defender.

between taking bad routes and having nothing resembling even a first basemen's arm, Murton causes all sorts of defensive problems...but the main problem is in that most people never get better at reading a ball off of the bat by the time they make it to pro ball...and those few who do, it's usually unnoticable unless you're around the player every single day. the improvement, though valuable, is usually marginal.