The Gateway Grizzlies are proud to announce that relief pitcher John Murphy has been signed by the Cincinnati Reds. He is the 49th former Grizzlies player to sign with a Major League organization in the franchise’s 22-year history, and the first since Grant Black was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2020.
Originally acquired by the Grizzlies in a trade from the Washington Wild Things in July of 2021, the 6’4” right-hander put it all together this past season on the mound, recording nine saves in 38 appearances with a 2.80 ERA, and striking out a whopping 63 batters in just 35 1/3 innings, a rate of 16.05-per-nine-innings, while also issuing only eight walks. For his efforts, he was named a Frontier League midseason all-star. He also previously struck out 28 batters in 19 1/3 innings over 14 games for Gateway in 2021 after the trade from Washington.
It will be the first time for the Merchantville, New Jersey native playing in the affiliated minor leagues after four years in the independent and “partner league” ranks. In addition to his experience with the Wild Things, Murphy also pitched two seasons in the United Shore Professional Baseball League. He spent his college career in the Big Ten at the University of Maryland, where he had 11 saves and 53 strikeouts over 33 1/3 innings in his senior year as the Terps’ closer in 2019.
“I am tremendously proud and excited for what’s in store for John,” Grizzlies manager Steve Brook said. “The Reds are attaining both an amazing talent on the mound and an exceptional human being. Murphy deserves this opportunity, and will absolutely thrive at the affiliated level. The Gateway Grizzlies are thankful to be a step on his path towards the big leagues.”
Jason Guerette is the Grizzlies' Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations and the "Voice of the Grizzlies." 2023 will be his second season with the organization, handling lead broadcasting duties on the Grizzlies Media Network as well as being in charge of all team press releases and game-day media materials.
2023 will also be Jason's ninth season in the Frontier League after spending 2014-21 in the same role with the Southern Illinois Miners. Overall, he has broadcasted close to 800 games in the league, including playoffs. During the baseball offseason, he serves as a play-by-play broadcaster for Manhattan College and the New Jersey Institute of Technology, with games being seen on ESPN+ among other platforms.
In addition to broadcasting, Jason works as a public address announcer for Seton Hall University women's basketball as well as Columbia University men's and women's basketball. He also spent nine years working "behind the scenes" as a freelance board operator and highlight editor at Westwood One for their coverage of the NFL, NCAA football, and NCAA basketball.
Jason graduated from Seton Hall in 2012 with B.A. in Communication Studies and a minor in Broadcasting & Visual Media.
