Angels Select the Contract of Trash Pandas RHP Luke Murphy
SL Rocket City Trash Pandas

Angels Select the Contract of Trash Pandas RHP Luke Murphy

Published on July 31, 2026 under Southern League (SL)
Rocket City Trash Pandas News Release


MADISON, AL - The Los Angeles Angels have selected the contract of right-handed reliever Luke Murphy from Double-A Rocket City, marking the first Major League promotion of his career. Murphy is in line to become the 52nd player in Trash Pandas history to make his Major League debut and the sixth former Rocket City player to be "Launched to the League" in 2026, joining Walbert Ureña, George Klassen, Coleman Crow, Samy Natera Jr., and Brett Kerry. In a corresponding move, OF Anthony Scull was reinstated from the 7-day Injured List.

Murphy also becomes the 15th player in franchise history to earn a direct promotion from Double-A to the Major Leagues without appearing in Triple-A during that season, and the second this year, following Wade Meckler.

The 24-year-old has been one of the most dominant relievers in all of Minor League Baseball in 2026. Murphy leads all Minor Leaguers with 18 saves while posting a 0.71 ERA over 34 appearances, allowing just three earned runs in 38.0 innings. He has struck out 47 batters while issuing only 10 walks, holding opponents to a microscopic ERA while anchoring the back end of Rocket City's bullpen.

From April 28 through July 8, Murphy did not allow an earned run across 25 consecutive appearances, spanning 27.1 innings. The streak was the longest in Minor League Baseball this season and tied for the third-longest by any Minor Leaguer since 2023. During that stretch, he converted 12 consecutive save opportunities from April 25 through June 10.

Murphy leaves Rocket City as one of the most accomplished pitchers in franchise history. Over four seasons with the Trash Pandas, he compiled a 12-9 record with a 3.49 ERA, appearing in a club-record 156 games while making just two starts. Across 180.2 innings, Murphy struck out 218 batters while walking only 77. He ranks among the franchise's all-time leaders in nearly every bullpen category, ranking first in appearances (156), tied for first in saves (23), first in holds (24), second in strikeouts (218), and second in wins (12).

Originally selected by the Angels in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Vanderbilt. He immediately established himself as a key piece of Rocket City's bullpen, posting a 2.62 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 63.2 innings during his first full professional season in 2022. That season, he combined with Chase Silseth and Eric Torres to throw the first no-hitter in Trash Pandas history on September 3 against Biloxi.

Murphy continued to serve as one of Rocket City's most reliable relievers over the next three seasons, leading the club with 44 appearances in 2023 before splitting the 2025 season between Rocket City and Triple-A Salt Lake.

Check out the Rocket City Trash Pandas Statistics

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Southern League Stories from July 31, 2026


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