Brewers sign LHP A.J. Murray, invite him to big league camp

[battlekow]

According to Baseball America, the Brewers signed lefty A.J. Murray, who saw some time in the big leagues in 07-08 for the Rangers. I assume it's a minor league deal. I don't know anything about him, but his real name is Arlington, so that's cool. Probably cooler when he was on the Rangers, but still.

[TooLiveBrew]

FanGraphs has him with the following arsenal (avg. velocities in parentheses):

 

FB (88.5)

CH (78.8)

CB (73.8)

SL (83.3)

 

 

So far (admittedly small sample) in MLB, it looks like the curve has been his best pitch.

[BREWERPRIDE]

Can never have to many arms right?

[JohnBriggs12]

Solid addition to Nashville staff. As last year showed, guys like that tend to find their way to Milwaukee at some point if they produce ala Burns, Smith, etc last year.

[clancyphile]

Could be a steal. Produced solid numbers in limited time at the major-league level in 07-08.

[dadofandrew]

Also, has both started and relieved. Doug probably drafted him.

[battlekow]

Murray will get an big league camp invite.

[colbyjack]

The Brewers now have Murray, Braddock and Lofgren coming to camp. Melvin has said numerous times that he would like another lefty in the 'pen, as it would seem as though this trio will battle it out (possibly with Narveson) for that job.

 

Murray is an interesting prospect that I'm curious if he was working on anything specific from a year ago. Looking at his career splits, it doesn't seem as though he has been really that much more remarkable against LH batters (in some areas, he has been more effective against RH batters). But last year, his numbers, at least at AAA, were a lot different, not only striking out LH batters at a higher rate, but also inducing a ton of ground balls. 6.75 GO to FO in 15 innings of work may not be the largest sample size, but compare that to 1.55 vs. RH hitters in 35 innings of work.

 

And as noted, at worse he should provide very good depth. Lofgren would have the natural advantage over both Braddock and Murray just because he has to stick on the big-league roster, although we'll be told the job will be awarded to the pitcher that does the best job in spring training.

[dadofandrew]

Narveson has to have a spot locked up after his success starting, and Doug's mentioning of him as a 6th starter.