Sean Murphy, Oakland A’s Minor League Pitcher, Dies at 27

“The A’s are deeply saddened by the tragic loss,” says vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane, who was portrayed by Brad Pitt in 2011 movie “Moneyball”

Sean Murphy
Oakland Athletics

Sean Murphy, a minor league pitcher for the Oakland A’s, has died. He was 27.

“The A’s are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Sean Murphy,” vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane, who was portrayed by Brad Pitt in the 2011 film “Moneyball,” said in a statement Tuesday. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”

Murphy passed away in Arizona but no further details have been released.

The aspiring baseball star had missed last season after Tommy John surgery and was still rehabbing from that injury when he was suspended by the MLB for 50 games in February for testing positive for a drug of abuse, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

He had been in the A’s system for six years and was one of the longest tenured of the team’s minor leaguers at that time.

“It’s sad, someone who was part of our family, part of our organization,” manager Bob Melvin said. “You really feel for his family and friends. Our hearts go out to them.”

Murphy, a right-hander, was selected by the A’s in the 33rd round of the 2010 Draft, a statement on the A’s official website revealed. He pitched five seasons in the A’s farm system from 2010-14, going 32-32 with a 4.26 ERA in 105 games (81 starts).

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