Talking Bats with Sean Murphy

See what Oakland Catcher Sean Murphy has to say about his rookie season and his Louisville Slugger bat.

 

Oakland Athletics catcher Sean Murphy turned in a strong rookie season in 2020, claiming a top-four finish in American League Rookie of the Year voting after posting an .821 OPS with seven home runs in 43 games. Oakland selected the backstop out of Wright State University in the third round of the 2016 draft, and Murphy tried out several Louisville Slugger bats over the years before adopting his Louisville Slugger I13 for regular use.

“I tried a bunch of different models. I think everybody does,” Murphy said. “Then I just started having success with an I13.”

Murphy said he likes the larger barrel of the I13 because it gives him a better chance of making solid contact at the plate. After his rookie campaign, Murphy said he hopes to continue barreling pitches while also refining all other facets of his game.

“Improve my hitting, defense, pitch-calling, all that stuff,” Murphy said. “I don’t throw any goals out there or expectations as far as numbers, because I feel like if I do that and then start falling behind the pace, then you start to press.”

Want to make an instant impact like Murphy? Try swinging the Louisville Slugger Series 3 Genuine Maple I13 Baseball Bat, a perfect batting practice bat that mirrors the stick Murphy uses in the Bigs. Or search the MLB Prime series of wood bats to find the Louisville Slugger to match your swing.