Injuries Derailed His 2024 Season, but the Braves’ Backstop is Ready for Redemption
NORTH PORT, Fla. – When the Atlanta Braves traded for Sean Murphy in 2022, they believed they were securing one of baseball’s top catchers for years to come. Two years later, that expectation is being tested. A season filled with injuries and struggles at the plate has cast doubt on Murphy’s standing among the game’s best, but the 29-year-old is eager to prove his doubters wrong.
“He’s just an all-around guy,” said Braves first baseman Matt Olson. “He plays defense, knows how to call a game and can hit. He’s the kind of guy you feel very comfortable with leading the pitching staff.”
Murphy’s 2024 campaign started on the wrong foot—literally. A strained oblique suffered on Opening Day sidelined him for two months, robbing him of the consistency he displayed in his All-Star 2023 season. Meanwhile, William Contreras, the player Atlanta sent to Milwaukee in the three-team deal that brought Murphy to the Braves, emerged as MLB Network’s top-ranked catcher. The comparisons are impossible to ignore.
Murphy’s Value Goes Beyond the Box Score
Murphy’s struggles last season weren’t just about his injury. Even after returning, he never quite found his rhythm at the plate, finishing the year with a .233 batting average and a .697 OPS—both significant drops from his 2023 numbers. But while the offensive production dipped, his defensive presence remained a major asset for Atlanta.
- Murphy and Phillies star J.T. Realmuto led all MLB catchers with a 13.4 fWAR from 2021 to 2023.
- He threw out 30% of attempted base stealers last season, above the league average of 24%.
- His pitch framing remained elite, ranking in the 92nd percentile per Statcast.
Murphy’s ability to manage a pitching staff and control the running game makes him an invaluable part of the Braves’ success. Despite an off-year at the plate, his leadership behind it never wavered.
The Contreras Factor: A Tough Act to Follow
Atlanta’s decision to trade for Murphy meant parting ways with William Contreras, a promising young catcher who has since flourished with the Brewers. In 2024, Contreras slashed .289/.362/.485 with 18 home runs, solidifying himself as one of the league’s best backstops. Braves fans naturally wonder if the team made the right choice.
Olson, who played alongside Murphy in Oakland before their reunion in Atlanta, doesn’t buy into the debate.
“One bad year doesn’t erase what he’s done,” Olson said. “People forget how good this guy is.”
Murphy has the chance to remind everyone in 2025.
What Needs to Change for Murphy in 2025?
For Murphy to reclaim his spot among the game’s elite, a few things need to go right:
- Health Comes First – The oblique injury set the tone for a frustrating season. A full, healthy spring training will be key.
- Finding His Swing Again – His hard-hit rate dipped to 42.6% in 2024, down from 47.9% the year before. He needs to rediscover his power.
- Handling Atlanta’s Staff – With Spencer Strider and Max Fried leading the rotation, Murphy’s ability to call a game is more crucial than ever.
The Braves still believe in Murphy. His six-year, $73 million extension, signed just weeks after the trade, proves that. Now, he just has to prove them right.
