Austin Murr is a left-handed hitting corner bat selected by the Phillies in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday. Murr was taken from the Detroit Tigers who had drafted him in the sixth round of the 2021 Draft out of North Carolina State. Coming into the organization, Murr projects as a depth first baseman/outfielder with a track record of contact and gap power. The 6′ 1″, 218 pound prospect was a productive two-way type during his amateur career who transitioned to being a position player in professional ball. The scouting consensus when he was drafted emphasized his feel for the barrel, ability to hit for average, and solid defensive instincts at first base and in left field.
Amateur and College Background
Murr is from St. Paul, Minnesota and played his high school ball in Minnesota before going to Des Moines Area Community College and later transferring to North Carolina State. At NC State he finished as a productive upper-order hitter and earned conference recognition, combining run production with strong glove work that even earned him ABCA/Rawlings collegiate defensive honors. His time at NC State is where he developed more consistent swing mechanics and earned attention as a draft prospect.
Draft and Professional Path
The Detroit Tigers selected Murr in the sixth round, 165th overall, of the 2021 MLB Draft. He signed and entered the Tigers’ farm system, working his way through the lower minors and spending time across infield and outfield slots as the organization tried to maximize his path to the big leagues. Since turning pro he has taken normal minor-league developmental steps and been viewed as an organizational depth bat with pop potential rather than as a top-tier prospect.
Minor-League Performance
Through his minor-league career Murr has shown an ability to put together long stretches of productive offense and has posted batting lines that center on a respectable batting average and on-base skills with moderate power. In his first professional season in 2021 Murr hit .319/.440/.393/.833 and moved from Rookie ball to A ball and then to High-A ball. After that, he hit .234 over the next three seasons playing primarily at High-A West Michigan and 71 games at Double-A Erie for the Tigers. The 2025 season saw Murr open the year at the Triple-A level with Toledo and struggled to a .208 average in 11 games with the Mud Hens. By Memorial Day, Murr was back at West Michigan where he batted .280/.386/.451/.838 in 72 games. His on-base percentage has been helped by walks and his OPS suggests above average run creation at certain levels.
Hitting Profile and Sabermetric Notes
Murr’s hitting profile is built on a quiet, repeatable setup and the ability to drive the ball gap to gap. His batting eye and plate discipline have been strengths, especially for a mid-round draftee, which is reflected in walk rates that boost his OBP above what his batting average alone would suggest. Sabermetric measures for minor-league players are less standardized than for big-league hitters, but available indicators like OPS and isolated power point to him being more of a doubles and moderate homer threat rather than a true slugger. Across five minor league seasons, Murr has just 25 home runs. In short, his strengths are contact, pitch recognition, and situational hitting. Power and elite slugging are areas where there is room for growth.
Defense and Defensive Metrics
Defensively, Murr has experience at first base and both corner outfield spots. In college he collected national recognition for his glove work, which helped his draft stock. As a pro he has been moved around to give him a chance to stick somewhere defensively and to keep his bat in the lineup. The granular defensive metrics you see for MLB players, like Outs Above Average, are often sparse or not applied consistently in the lower minors, so public advanced defensive numbers are limited. What the available scouting and statistical information shows is a player with reliable hands, an average to slightly above average arm for a lefty corner, and the ability to make routine and many of the tougher plays at first base. The positional versatility helps his value as a call-up candidate.
Injuries and Availability
Murr has had only a few short absences while in pro ball. There is a high-school era report circulating on social platforms about a significant lower leg injury, but the more authoritative college and pro bios and team reports don’t list any chronic or career-altering issues. Overall he has not had a headline injury that clearly derailed his development in the way long rehabs do for other prospects.
Notable Moments and Intangibles
Murr has some fun, high-profile minor-league moments that show his competitiveness. Scouting reports show that he has the makeup to handle pressure and to be a strong clubhouse presence. Scouts and organizational reports praise his work ethic, team attitude, and ability to adjust to different roles.
Projection and Takeaway
At this stage Murr projects as a depth bat with a realistic path to a major-league role as a lefty bench bat, platoon corner, or organizational first baseman if his power ticks up and he continues to get on base at a steady clip. His strengths are plate discipline, the ability to make contact, and defensive versatility, all things that make for a quality utility player. If he can maintain or improve his walk and barrel rates he has the potential to earn extended looks in the big leagues. If not, he profiles as a valuable minor-league hitter who can fill multiple roles for a big-league club in need of left-handed depth.
Please scroll down to comment on this story or to give it a rating. We appreciate your feedback!
Disclaimer: Some of the products featured or linked on this website may generate income for Philly Baseball News through affiliate commissions, sponsorships, or direct sales. We only promote items we believe in, but please assume that PBN may earn a cut from qualifying purchases that you make using a link on this site.
© 2026 LV Sports Media. All rights reserved.
