JABO: Daniel Murphy’s Most Surprising Home Run

by
October 19, 2015

The postseason always provides some surprising storylines, but this year, nothing has been more unexpected than Daniel Murphy turning into Babe Ruth. The Mets second baseman is mostly known for his extremely high rate of contact — he posted the lowest strikeout rate of any hitter in Major League Baseball this year — but has turned into a super slugger in the playoffs, hitting five home runs in the Mets first seven postseason games. While the team’s pitching staff is their greatest strength, Murphy’s success against the best pitchers in baseball is a big reason why the team is two wins away from reaching the World Series.

But even given his recent power surge, his home run off Jake Arrieta in the first inning of game two remains something to marvel at. Not just because hitting a home run off Jaker Arrieta is impressive, but because the home run was one of the least likely we’ve seen all year.

First, watch the home run for yourself.

Read the rest on Just a Bit Outside.





 

Dave is the Managing Editor of FanGraphs.

29 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Dave42
8 years ago

I thought one of the more unusual things was that the pitch immediately prior to the HR pitch he hit out just foul. You rarely see a hitter hit two in the same at bat, much less a tough pitch against the presumptive Cy Young winner. Considering he’s taken Greinke, Kershaw and Lester deep as well, this is a surreal run he’s been on.

3
CircleChange11
8 years ago
Reply to  Dave42

If only he had broken his bat and torn some stitches loose on the foul home run.

Wonder Boy

-1
Roger
8 years ago
Reply to  Dave42

It really had the feeling that he was finding his range. I am surprised, and pleased, that anyone — even Arrieta! — is still trying to pitch him low and/or inside, considering the pull-happy approach he’s been taking on this late-season and postseason hot stretch. His bat is super-quick, ridiculously quick, inside right now but it seems like that makes high and away a bit of a weakness.

0