September 8, 2022

By Steve Schuster

Winnipeg Goldeyes

WINNIPEG, Man. – Winnipeg Goldeyes right fielder Max Murphy has won the 2022 American Association Player of the Year Award.

The award was voted on by the league’s field managers, executives and media representatives.

Murphy hit .308 while starting all 100 regular season games in right field, and led the American Association in both home runs (31) and RBIs (97). The 31 home runs tied the Goldeyes’ single-season record set by Kyle Martin in 2021, and rank tied for second in American Association history. The Robbinsdale, Minn., native hit safely in 72 of 100 games, and blasted three home runs on August 27 in the first game of a doubleheader at Fargo-Moorhead. Murphy also tied for the American Association lead with 12 outfield assists, which were the most by a Goldeye since 1999. Additionally, Murphy made seven appearances as a pitcher, striking out seven batters in six innings.

Murphy is in his second year with the Goldeyes, and hit .307 with 13 home runs, 71 RBIs, and a league-best 31 doubles for Winnipeg in 2021.The 29-year-old also played three seasons for the St. Paul Saints from 2018-20, earning All-Star honours in 2019 before having his contract purchased by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

A right-handed hitter and fielder, Murphy was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the ninth round in 2014 out of Bradley University (Peoria, Illinois). Murphy earned All-Star accolades twice during his time with the Twins, and was voted a MiLB Gold Glove outfielder in 2017. Murphy reached the triple-A level with the Diamondbacks in 2019.

Murphy becomes the fourth Goldeye (fifth time overall) in franchise history to earn league Player of the Year honours.

Winnipeg Goldeyes Northern League/American Association Player of the Year Winners

1995 – Terry Lee, Northern League

1996 – Terry Lee, Northern League

1998 – Sean Hearn, Northern League

2017 – Josh Romanski, American Association

2022 – Max Murphy, American Association