Noah Murdock
Position: RHP
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 205 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 08/20/1998
College: University of Virginia
Drafted: 7th Round, 199th overall, 2019 (Royals)
How Acquired: Minor league free agent
Bonus: $230,500
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Minor League Free Agency: 2026
Options Left: 3
Overview
Murdock is a tall, lean right-hander with good stuff who’s struggled with his control and with injuries. The latter started with Tommy John surgery his sophomore year at Virginia. He throws a sinker in the 94-97 mph range. He also throws a slider and cutter, both of which grade out well. His motion, from a three-quarters slot, is deceptive but inconsistent, leading to control issues that have hampered him throughout his career. He gets a lot of ground balls and usually hasn’t had much trouble with gopher balls. The Pirates signed Murdock to a minor league deal for 2026.
2019-22
Murdock pitched well in his debut in advanced rookie ball, working in a swing role. He had a 2.17 ERA and very good walk and strikeout rates. After he missed the pandemic season, he also missed most of 2021 due to a hamstring injury. He made six starts and one relief appearance in high A in June and July, posting a 3.18 ERA in 22.2 innings, but then went out again for the season at the beginning of August.
In 2022, Murdock split the season between high A and AA, making ten and seven starts, respectively. He wasn’t very effective at either level, putting up a 5.36 ERA at the lower level and 9.00 at the higher. His walk and K rates weren’t good at either level. He again went out for the season in early August.
2023-24
In 2023, Murdock spent the season in AA, pitching in relief apart from one start. He didn’t give up a lot of hits and fanned 10.0 per nine innings, but he walked 6.4, leading to a 5.87 ERA.
The Royals sent Murdock back to AA in 2023 and, in 16 games, he improved his BB/9 to 5.5 and he allowed only 16 hits in 24.1 IP. That produced a 2.22 ERA and the Royals moved him up to AAA. He fanned 10.8 per nine innings there, but walked 6.1. He had a 3.76 ERA in 30 games.
2025
After the 2024 season, the Athletics selected Murdock in the Rule 5 draft. He appeared in 14 games with the A’s and had a rough time, giving up 26 hits, 20 walks and 25 runs in 17 innings. In early May, the A’s returned him to the Royals and he spent the rest of the season in AAA. His K/9 dropped to 8.6 and his BB/9 was 5.6. He had an ERA of 6.00 in 16 games and missed the second half of the season with an injury.
After the 2025 season, Murdock became a free agent and signed a minor league deal with the Pirates.
Stats
Transactions
June 11, 2016: Drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 38th round, 1144th overall pick.
June 4, 2019: Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 7th round, 199th overall pick; signed on June 16.
December 11, 2024: Selected by the Athletics from the Kansas City Royals in the Rule 5 draft.
May 9, 2025: Designated for assignment by the Athletics; returned to Kansas City Royals on May 12.
November 6, 2025: Became a free agent.
November 14, 2025: CSigned as a minor league free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.