The Pirates added another glove-first catcher into the mix Friday, signing seven year veteran John Ryan Murphy to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training.
Murphy, 28, hit .175/.246/.413 with four home runs and 7 RBI in 26 games in the majors last year, almost all of which were with the Diamondbacks. While Murphy has always had a little pop in his bat, he also has been plagued with a low batting average and on-base percentage throughout his career.
Defensively, Murphy is regarded as a good pitch framer and blocker. In 2018, his last full season in the majors, Murphy saved 9.