Many Atlanta Braves fan favorites have already arrived to North Port, Florida in hopes of regaining the swagger that made them a 100-win team in 2023. Injuries were the unfortunate story of 2024, and nearly every starter in Atlanta’s lineup was hit by seasons end.
It all began on Opening Day in Philadelphia when catcher Sean Murphy aggravated his oblique with a violent swing. Murphy spent the rest of the season playing catchup, and sadly never caught up to his 2023 All-Star form. In the end it was an ugly .193/.284/.352 slash line and many more career lows across 72 games for Murphy.
Thankfully, it’s been made clear that Murphy is extremely motivated to get back to his normal self and put last season’s disappointment behind him. As he arrived to Braves spring training we found out how that can become reality.
Braves catcher excited to turn the page to 2025, will miss Travis d’Arnaud
Murphy was one of the many Braves regulars to arrive early to North Port, ahead of their February 18th designated start date. Justin Toscano of the AJC caught up with Murphy and got a stellar quote about his expectations for 2025 and how the team adjusts to the loss of his former backstop partner in crime.
We are speaking, of course, of beloved former Brave Travis d’Arnaud who signed with the Angels earlier this offseason. Murphy admitted it hurt to lose a good friend and great teammate in d’Arnaud, but the silver lining of him playing more often in 2025 was something that excited him.
Sean Murphy was sad to lose Travis d’Arnaud, who was a good friend. Murphy is excited — if there were a silver lining — to play more this season.
Speculating here, but I think playing more often is going to be a really good thing for Murph. I’m high on him.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) February 12, 2025
This is an excellent point by Murphy, because it’s never felt like he’s been afforded the opportunity to play regularly outside of when d’Arnaud was sidelined early in 2023 with concussion issues. Of course that so happened to be one of the best offensive stretches of Murphy’s career.
With Chadwick Tromp projected as the current backup catcher, Murphy could be in line to catch 70-80% of games in 2025 unles the Braves begin an early pivot to prospect Drake Baldwin. It’s something a lot of fans have been clamoring for awhile, but Murphy getting the chance to play more often could lead to a much more successful season. It’s an under the radar pressure packed year for Murphy, as he hopes to prove he’s still one of baseball’s elite catchers.
