Over the past several years, Chris Murphy has worked to earn a role as a left-handed reliever for the Boston Red Sox.

The 27-year-old from Granada Hills, California, was drafted by the Red Sox in the sixth round of the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft out of the University of San Diego.

Murphy made his big league debut with the big league club in 2023 and is having his best season to date; he had a 3.12 Earned Run Average in 23 regular season relief appearances in 2025.

NewBostonPost conducted a Five Questions interview with Murphy at Polar Park in Worcester, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, August 19. Polar Park is the home of the Worcester Red Sox, the team's Triple-A minor league affiliate. (Murphy was recalled from Triple-A Worcester on Friday, September 12, after Boston placed relief pitcher Brennan Bernardino on the 15-day injured list with a lat strain. However, he was optioned back down to Triple-A on September 28, to make room for spot starter José De León).

In the conversation, he discussed his approach to pitching, his experiences in the Cape Cod League, his passion for mental health advocacy, and what it’s like playing in Boston.

It is below:

1. There have been reports that say you're big into baseball metrics, some of these advanced pitching stats, and using them to improve your game. How’d you get into that, and what’s an example of how it’s helped you over the years? And when you were recovering from Tommy John surgery last year and earlier this year, did you spend a lot of time looking at metrics?

I’ve kind of moved away from looking at metrics per se. At this point in my career, it’s just about competing and getting guys out, and whatever’s working that day is what works that day. However, metrics do help show me what to trust — what might be good and what to rely on when something else isn’t working. I think I got into it around 2021 during that COVID time.

Just getting healthy again, and then knowing what I do well. Having an identity on the mound — that’s something we should all know at some point. Look beyond metrics, who are you as a pitcher, and what do you do well?

2. Can tell us about your time with the Brewster Whitecaps in the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2018? Any good memories down there or favorite spots?

I had mono all summer that year, so I don’t remember a whole lot. But it was a fun time. I threw a lot of innings, and then obviously went and got drafted to the same state.

3. Last year, you donated $100 for every Red Sox win to Active Minds for mental health. What made you so passionate about the cause?

Everybody goes through something you can’t see on the outside. It’s something where the quiet part needs to be said out loud a little bit, and that’s why.

4. You share the same name as Senator Chris Murphy. Have you ever been mistaken for him on X/Twitter or anywhere else?

Oh yeah. I’ve gotten some death threats from people thinking I’m the senator. It’s crazy. I’ve gotten it both as a player and as the senator.

5. What’s stood out to you about pitching in Boston so far, especially being a California guy?

Pitching in Boston’s great. The fans are very loyal to the team — maybe not the players all the time, but the team for sure. It’s been a great experience. Fans travel, too. You see that on the road, those “Let’s go Red Sox” chants — those are great.