Penn Murfee Bio
William Penn Murfee (born May 2, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. A right-handed reliever, Murfee has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners and Chicago White Sox, working primarily out of the bullpen. He made his MLB debut in 2022 and has built a career on strikeout ability and adaptability across multiple minor league levels.
Early Life and Background
Murfee grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, where he attended Montgomery Bell Academy, a well-known private school recognized for its strong baseball program. Coming out of high school in 2013, he went undrafted, which motivated him to continue developing his game at the college level. His time at Montgomery Bell helped lay the foundation for a transition from position player to pitcher that would later define his professional career.
Path to Professional Baseball
After high school, Murfee enrolled at Vanderbilt University, one of the most respected college baseball programs in the country. He redshirted his freshman season and then played for the Commodores for three seasons, initially as an infielder. During his final year at Vanderbilt, he converted to pitching, a change that reshaped his career trajectory. To extend his eligibility, he transferred to Santa Clara University for his redshirt senior season, where he continued to refine his skills on the mound.
Following his college career, Murfee was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 33rd round, with the 988th overall pick, of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft. The path to the majors was gradual, but his performance in the minors soon established him as a legitimate bullpen prospect.
Penn Murfee Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Murfee began his professional career in 2018 with the Everett AquaSox, the Mariners’ short-season affiliate, going 3-2 with a 6.55 ERA over 33 innings. The following year, he split time between the Modesto Nuts, Arkansas Travelers, and Tacoma Rainiers, posting a combined 6-5 record with a 3.57 ERA and 136 strikeouts across 113 and one-third innings. His strong 2019 season earned him the Mariners’ minor league “60 ft., 6-in Club” Award, given to pitchers who reach the height of the pitching rubber with their fastball velocity.
After the 2019 season, Murfee played for the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League and was selected for the United States national baseball team at the 2019 WBSC Premier 12 tournament. The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he returned in 2021 to pitch for Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Tacoma, posting a 7-3 record and 4.23 ERA with 97 strikeouts in 78 and two-thirds innings across 26 appearances, including 14 starts.
Seattle Mariners Era (2022–2023)
Murfee was assigned to Triple-A Tacoma to begin the 2022 season and was added to the Mariners’ active roster on April 20, 2022. He was returned to the minors a week later without appearing in a game, briefly becoming a phantom ballplayer, before being re-selected the following day. On April 29, 2022, he made his MLB debut against the Miami Marlins, recording his first two strikeouts. In his rookie campaign, Murfee made 64 appearances out of the Seattle bullpen, going 4-0 with a 2.99 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 69 and one-third innings.
In 2023, Murfee appeared in 16 games for Seattle, posting a 1.29 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 14 innings. On June 27, 2023, the Mariners announced that he would undergo season-ending surgery on his ulnar collateral ligament, ending his year prematurely. On October 31, 2023, he was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets, marking the beginning of a busy waiver period.
Houston Astros and Waiver Period (2023–2024)
On November 14, 2023, Murfee was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves, who non-tendered him three days later. He re-signed with Atlanta on November 30 but was placed on release waivers by the Braves on March 25, 2024. The Houston Astros claimed him off waivers on March 27, 2024, but the next day placed him on the 15-day injured list before transferring him to the 60-day injured list on April 4. Murfee made one rehabilitation appearance for the Single-A Fayetteville Woodpeckers but was shut down after experiencing elbow discomfort.
Chicago White Sox Era (2024–2025)
On November 4, 2024, Murfee was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox. In 15 appearances for Chicago, he posted an 0-1 record and 7.82 ERA with 13 strikeouts across 12 and two-thirds innings. On May 6, 2025, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights. With Charlotte, he appeared in 22 games, going 2-1 with a 4.09 ERA, 16 strikeouts, and one save over 22 innings. The White Sox released him on August 1, 2025, and he became a free agent.
Notable Events and Milestones
Murfee’s MLB debut against the Miami Marlins on April 29, 2022, remains a career highlight, as he recorded his first two strikeouts in the majors. His 2019 minor league award and selection to the United States national team for the 2019 WBSC Premier 12 also stand out as early career milestones. Unfortunately, his career has also been marked by injury setbacks, including ulnar collateral ligament surgery in 2023 and recurring elbow issues in 2024.
Penn Murfee Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Penn Murfee has been valued more for his strikeout ability and reliability out of the bullpen than for accumulating wins. His 4-0 record during his 2022 rookie season with the Seattle Mariners highlighted his effectiveness in relief. Across all levels, he has consistently produced strong strikeout numbers, including 136 strikeouts in 113 and one-third minor league innings in 2019 and 97 strikeouts in 78 and two-thirds innings in 2021.
Other Wins and Performances
In the minors, Murfee posted winning records with the Modesto Nuts, Arkansas Travelers, Tacoma Rainiers, and Charlotte Knights, including a 7-3 record in 2021 and a 2-1 mark with Charlotte in 2025. His selection to the 2019 WBSC Premier 12 and his Arizona Fall League appearance with the Peoria Javelinas further highlighted his reputation as a reliable arm in the Mariners’ system.
Penn Murfee Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Little public information is available about Penn Murfee’s family background. His early life and family details are not widely documented in public sources, and he has not publicly shared extensive information about his parents or relatives. His personal history is primarily known through his accomplishments in baseball, starting from his high school years at Montgomery Bell Academy.
2025 Season Performance
Murfee’s 2025 season began with the Chicago White Sox, where he struggled to a 7.82 ERA in 15 appearances before being outrighted to Triple-A Charlotte on May 6. With the Charlotte Knights, he regained some of his form, going 2-1 with a 4.09 ERA and one save across 22 innings. However, the White Sox released him on August 1, 2025, ending his tenure with the organization.
Following his release, Murfee became a free agent, leaving the door open for potential opportunities with another MLB club. His strikeout ability and bullpen experience could make him an attractive option for teams in need of relief depth heading into the offseason. As of August 2025, no new team has been announced.