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BJ Murray Jr
- Knoxville Smokies - AA
- 3B/1B
Collapse Explore Scouting Report
- Bats: S / Throws: R
- Age: 26
- Rule 5 Eligible: 2024
- Acquisition Method: Draft
Scouting Report
Josh Illes:
Like Haydn McGeary, Murray appears to be a bargain the Cubs found in the 15th round of a draft, this time in 2021. Also like McGeary, all he has done is hit. This past year, he hit a .199 ISO at Double-A Tennessee, while hitting a career-best 16 home runs, and there is no reason to think he won’t carry that over into 2024. The switch-hitter plays a capable third base, but will need to prove himself defensively at the hot corner to elevate his prospect status. I don’t believe he will ever have the power required to be an everyday MLB first baseman. If he can sustain his success in 2023, though, he could be a quick riser in 2024.
Jason Ross:
Murray has a good approach at the plate and makes a lot of contact with the baseball. There seems to be a belief in the industry that his glove has progressed far enough to be a capable third baseman. Murray has posted back-to-back seasons of 127 and 128 wRC+, respectively, and has put himself on the map as a potential bat to crack the MLB roster at some point in 2024. I hesitate to put him higher right now, as I don’t know how much I believe in his power… yet. That’s not to say it’s imaginary; I want to see him show that he can carry the nearly .200 ISO into Iowa. The biggest knock was that he didn’t hit enough home runs to be exciting, at a position where his bat needed to carry him a bit more, and I want to see him repeat and build upon what he did last year. While I don’t think Murray is a star player, I think there’s probably a player who’s a capable 2.5-fWAR third baseman here.
The floor is high enough that he’s sure to make the majors at some point, and the ceiling is high enough that I wouldn’t project him simply as a second-division starter. I’m interested in seeing how he handles advanced pitching. While I’m not sure he’ll be able to leapfrog a few prospects on the list, Murray, especially with a promotion or two, could be a top-half prospect for the Cubs in just a few months. The ordinal ranking has less to do with Murray and more with how much I think of the top 13 players.
Monthly Splits
| Split | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | IBB | SO | SB | CS | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Outs | IOW | 39 | 58 | -- | 15 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 13 | -- | -- | .259 | .394 | .345 | .739 |
| Two Outs | IOW | 35 | 47 | -- | 16 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 13 | -- | -- | .340 | .426 | .468 | .894 |
| Runners at 1st & 2nd | IOW | 12 | 13 | -- | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -- | -- | .385 | .385 | .846 | 1.231 |
| One Out | IOW | 37 | 62 | -- | 23 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 18 | 5 | 0 | 13 | -- | -- | .371 | .412 | .694 | 1.106 |
| Ahead in Count | IOW | 40 | 57 | -- | 24 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 17 | 23 | 0 | 7 | -- | -- | .421 | .580 | .772 | 1.352 |
| Starter | IOW | 44 | 80 | -- | 28 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 16 | 10 | 0 | 18 | -- | -- | .350 | .418 | .575 | .993 |
| Batting Seventh | IOW | 2 | 6 | -- | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | -- | -- | .333 | .500 | .833 | 1.333 |
| Runners at 1st & 3rd | IOW | 4 | 5 | -- | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -- | -- | .200 | .200 | .200 | .400 |
| Batting Sixth | IOW | 3 | 8 | -- | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | -- | -- | .375 | .500 | 1.000 | 1.500 |
| Batting Ninth | IOW | 4 | 13 | -- | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | -- | -- | .308 | .438 | .385 | .823 |
| Bases Loaded | IOW | 8 | 9 | -- | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -- | -- | .333 | .333 | .444 | .777 |
| On Grass | IOW | 44 | 167 | 26 | 54 | 11 | 1 | 6 | 30 | 23 | 0 | 39 | 7 | 1 | .323 | .409 | .509 | .918 |
| Day Games | IOW | 22 | 80 | 16 | 25 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 16 | 15 | 0 | 20 | 4 | 0 | .313 | .423 | .600 | 1.023 |
| Extra Innings | IOW | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .333 | .000 | .333 |
| Home Games | IOW | 24 | 91 | 14 | 28 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 22 | 12 | 0 | 24 | 2 | 1 | .308 | .385 | .527 | .912 |
| First Inning | IOW | 31 | 28 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 0 | .250 | .323 | .321 | .644 |
| Second Inning | IOW | 18 | 18 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | .444 | .474 | .833 | 1.307 |
| Away Games | IOW | 20 | 76 | 12 | 26 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 11 | 0 | 15 | 5 | 0 | .342 | .438 | .487 | .925 |
| Seventh Inning | IOW | 17 | 16 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | .313 | .353 | .500 | .853 |
| Runner at 3rd | IOW | 5 | 3 | -- | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | -- | -- | .333 | .500 | .333 | .833 |
| Behind in Count | IOW | 36 | 60 | -- | 16 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 24 | -- | -- | .267 | .267 | .383 | .650 |
| Eighth Inning | IOW | 21 | 18 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | .333 | .429 | .444 | .873 |
| Runner at 2nd | IOW | 15 | 13 | -- | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4 | -- | -- | .308 | .471 | .385 | .856 |
| May | IOW | 20 | 79 | 11 | 24 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 10 | 0 | 20 | 3 | 0 | .304 | .391 | .456 | .847 |
| Leading Off Inning | IOW | 27 | 39 | -- | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 12 | -- | -- | .231 | .375 | .308 | .683 |
| Ninth Inning | IOW | 15 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | .154 | .267 | .154 | .421 |
| April | IOW | 21 | 79 | 14 | 27 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 17 | 4 | 1 | .342 | .416 | .544 | .960 |
| Runners at 2nd & 3rd | IOW | 7 | 8 | -- | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -- | -- | .250 | .250 | .375 | .625 |
| Scoring Position | IOW | 34 | 51 | -- | 16 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 24 | 6 | 0 | 13 | -- | -- | .314 | .379 | .490 | .869 |
| Third Inning | IOW | 19 | 17 | 5 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .529 | .579 | .941 | 1.520 |
| vs Right | IOW | 43 | 123 | -- | 38 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 23 | 15 | 0 | 26 | -- | -- | .309 | .390 | .512 | .902 |
| Fourth Inning | IOW | 20 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | .125 | .300 | .125 | .425 |
| Fifth Inning | IOW | 24 | 20 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | .300 | .440 | .650 | 1.090 |
| Runner at 1st | IOW | 21 | 23 | -- | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 3 | -- | -- | .348 | .464 | .435 | .899 |
| Reliever | IOW | 44 | 87 | -- | 26 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 13 | 0 | 21 | -- | -- | .299 | .402 | .448 | .850 |
| Sixth Inning | IOW | 24 | 20 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | .450 | .500 | .600 | 1.100 |
| Bases Empty | IOW | 43 | 93 | -- | 30 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 0 | 23 | -- | -- | .323 | .411 | .538 | .949 |
| Night Games | IOW | 22 | 87 | 10 | 29 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 19 | 3 | 1 | .333 | .396 | .425 | .821 |
| March | IOW | 3 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .333 | .500 | .667 | 1.167 |
| Late / Close | IOW | 13 | 13 | -- | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | -- | -- | .308 | .471 | .385 | .856 |
| vs Left | IOW | 26 | 44 | -- | 16 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 13 | -- | -- | .364 | .462 | .500 | .962 |
| Batting Third | IOW | 11 | 44 | -- | 16 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 9 | -- | -- | .364 | .429 | .523 | .952 |
| Batting Second | IOW | 7 | 29 | -- | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 9 | -- | -- | .207 | .273 | .345 | .618 |
| Batting Fifth | IOW | 7 | 29 | -- | 10 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 6 | -- | -- | .345 | .387 | .621 | 1.008 |
| Batting Fourth | IOW | 2 | 5 | -- | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | -- | -- | .200 | .556 | .200 | .756 |
| Batting First | IOW | 8 | 33 | -- | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 7 | -- | -- | .364 | .432 | .455 | .887 |
| First Half | IOW | 44 | 167 | 26 | 54 | 11 | 1 | 6 | 30 | 23 | 0 | 39 | 7 | 1 | .323 | .409 | .509 | .918 |
| Season | Team | LG | Level | G | AB | R | H | TB | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | IBB | SO | SB | CS | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | GO/AO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | A-CUB | ACL | ROK | 16 | 56 | 12 | 16 | 27 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 0 | .286 | .344 | .482 | .826 | 1.00 |
| 2022 | 2 teams | - | Minors | 95 | 315 | 53 | 90 | 135 | 19 | 1 | 8 | 53 | 62 | 0 | 77 | 8 | 4 | .286 | .410 | .429 | .839 | 1.21 |
| 2022 | MB | CAR | A | 39 | 128 | 31 | 39 | 59 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 25 | 26 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 0 | .305 | .441 | .461 | .902 | 1.03 |
| 2022 | SB | MID | A+ | 56 | 187 | 22 | 51 | 76 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 28 | 36 | 0 | 46 | 8 | 4 | .273 | .388 | .406 | .794 | 1.33 |
| 2023 | TNS | SOU | AA | 124 | 452 | 71 | 119 | 209 | 34 | 4 | 16 | 74 | 82 | 0 | 129 | 14 | 3 | .263 | .382 | .462 | .844 | 0.65 |
| 2024 | 2 teams | - | Minors | 103 | 357 | 51 | 70 | 114 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 43 | 57 | 0 | 100 | 14 | 1 | .196 | .309 | .319 | .628 | 1.15 |
| 2024 | TNS | SOU | AA | 15 | 58 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 4 | 0 | .155 | .246 | .172 | .418 | 0.75 |
| 2024 | IOW | INT | AAA | 88 | 299 | 46 | 61 | 104 | 10 | 0 | 11 | 39 | 50 | 0 | 86 | 10 | 1 | .204 | .320 | .348 | .668 | 1.26 |
| 2025 | KNX | SOU | AA | 125 | 443 | 62 | 107 | 185 | 18 | 0 | 20 | 89 | 83 | 0 | 103 | 20 | 8 | .242 | .363 | .418 | .781 | 0.74 |
| 2026 | IOW | INT | AAA | 44 | 167 | 26 | 54 | 85 | 11 | 1 | 6 | 30 | 23 | 0 | 39 | 7 | 1 | .323 | .409 | .509 | .918 | 1.03 |
| Date | Team | OPP | AB | R | H | TB | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | IBB | SO | SB | CS | AVG | OBP | SLG | HBP | SAC | SF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-27 | IOW | vs COL | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 | .750 | .500 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-03-29 | IOW | vs COL | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .333 | .500 | .833 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-03-31 | IOW | @ LOU | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .333 | .500 | .667 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-04-01 | IOW | @ LOU | 5 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | .286 | .412 | .714 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-04-03 | IOW | @ LOU | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .211 | .318 | .526 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-04-04 | IOW | @ LOU | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .227 | .320 | .636 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-04-05 | IOW | @ LOU | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .292 | .414 | .750 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-04-07 | IOW | vs OMA | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .259 | .375 | .667 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-04-08 | IOW | vs OMA | 5 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .281 | .378 | .719 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-04-10 | IOW | vs OMA | 4 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .306 | .390 | .722 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-04-10 | IOW | vs OMA | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .308 | .386 | .692 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-04-11 | IOW | vs OMA | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .286 | .375 | .643 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-04-14 | IOW | @ COL | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .289 | .385 | .622 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-04-15 | IOW | @ COL | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .306 | .393 | .612 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-04-16 | IOW | @ COL | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .308 | .410 | .596 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-04-17 | IOW | @ COL | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .321 | .415 | .589 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-04-18 | IOW | @ COL | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .322 | .420 | .593 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-04-21 | IOW | vs LOU | 4 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .349 | .438 | .619 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-04-22 | IOW | vs LOU | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .373 | .462 | .657 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-04-23 | IOW | vs LOU | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .352 | .439 | .620 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-04-24 | IOW | vs LOU | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .338 | .430 | .595 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-04-26 | IOW | vs LOU | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .359 | .451 | .603 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-04-28 | IOW | @ STP | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .354 | .442 | .585 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-04-29 | IOW | @ STP | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .341 | .426 | .557 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-05-02 | IOW | @ STP | 3 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .352 | .438 | .571 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-05-03 | IOW | @ STP | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .347 | .436 | .558 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-05-05 | IOW | vs COL | 5 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .340 | .426 | .570 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-05-06 | IOW | vs COL | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .330 | .417 | .553 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2026-05-07 | IOW | vs COL | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .330 | .419 | .547 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-05-08 | IOW | vs COL | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .315 | .403 | .523 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-05-09 | IOW | vs COL | 5 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | .319 | .407 | .552 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-05-10 | IOW | vs COL | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .317 | .403 | .550 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-05-12 | IOW | @ NAS | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .333 | .420 | .561 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-05-13 | IOW | @ NAS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .323 | .408 | .543 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-05-14 | IOW | @ NAS | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .336 | .421 | .557 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-05-15 | IOW | @ NAS | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .321 | .405 | .533 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-05-17 | IOW | @ NAS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .317 | .407 | .525 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-05-19 | IOW | vs MEM | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .315 | .407 | .517 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-05-20 | IOW | vs MEM | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .306 | .398 | .503 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-05-21 | IOW | vs MEM | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .305 | .394 | .497 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-05-22 | IOW | vs MEM | 4 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .310 | .397 | .503 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-05-23 | IOW | vs MEM | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .316 | .404 | .513 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-05-24 | IOW | vs MEM | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .315 | .404 | .506 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026-05-25 | IOW | @ IND | 5 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .323 | .409 | .509 | 0 | 0 | 0 |


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