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 relief pitcher, Murfee has spent time in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Seattle Mariners and the Chicago White Sox, also spending time in the organizations of the New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, and Houston Astros. Across his MLB career, he has compiled a 5–3 win–loss record, a 3.38 earned run average (ERA), and 105 strikeouts.
Known publicly as Penn Murfee, he attended Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Tennessee, before pitching at Vanderbilt University and Santa Clara University. He was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 2018 MLB Draft and made his major league debut in April 2022.
Early Life and Background
William Penn Murfee was born on May 2, 1994, and grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. He attended Montgomery Bell Academy, a well-known private school in the Nashville area with a strong baseball tradition. Coming out of high school, Murfee went undrafted in the 2013 MLB Draft, which motivated him to continue his baseball career at the collegiate level.
He enrolled at Vanderbilt University, one of the premier college baseball programs in the country. Murfee redshirted his freshman season with the Commodores, preserving a year of eligibility while adjusting to the college game. He spent three seasons on the Vanderbilt roster, giving him a strong foundation within a nationally competitive program.
Path to Professional Baseball
During his first two years at Vanderbilt, Murfee played as an infielder rather than a pitcher. He converted to pitching for his final year with the program, a transition that reshaped his career trajectory. After completing his third season, he transferred to Santa Clara University for his redshirt senior year, finishing his college career on the West Coast.
Following the 2018 college season, the Seattle Mariners selected Murfee in the 33rd round with the 988th overall pick of the 2018 MLB Draft. The late-round selection marked his entry into professional baseball and the beginning of his climb through Seattle’s minor league system.
Penn Murfee Career
Minor League Career (2018–2021)
Murfee began his professional career in 2018 with the Everett AquaSox, Seattle’s short-season affiliate, going 3–2 with a 6.55 ERA over 33 innings. In 2019, he split the year between the Modesto Nuts, Arkansas Travelers, and Tacoma Rainiers, posting a combined 6–5 record with a 3.57 ERA and 136 strikeouts across 113⅓ innings. That winter, the Mariners recognized his progress with their 2019 minor league “60 ft., 6-in Club” Award, given to pitchers who reach specific strikeout milestones.
He also pitched for the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League and was selected to the United States national baseball team for the 2019 WBSC Premier 12 tournament. Murfee did not appear in any games in 2020 after the minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, he split time between Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Tacoma, recording a 7–3 mark and 4.23 ERA with 97 strikeouts in 78⅔ innings across 26 appearances, including 14 starts.
Seattle Mariners Era (2022–2023)
Murfee was added to Seattle’s active roster on April 20, 2022, and was briefly optioned to Triple-A before being recalled again. He made his MLB debut on April 29, 2022, against the Miami Marlins, recording his first two major league strikeouts. In his rookie season, he appeared in 64 games for the Mariners, going 4–0 with a 2.99 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 69⅓ innings out of the bullpen, becoming a reliable late-inning option.
His 2023 season was cut short by injury. 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, sidelining him for the remainder of the year.
Waivers and Atlanta (2023–2024)
On October 31, 2023, Murfee was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets. He was claimed off waivers again on November 14, this time by the Atlanta Braves. The Braves non-tendered him on November 17, 2023, and he re-signed with Atlanta on November 30. On March 25, 2024, the Braves placed him on release waivers, and the Houston Astros claimed him two days later.
The Astros placed Murfee on the 15-day injured list on March 28, 2024, and moved him to the 60-day injured list on April 4. He made one rehab appearance for the Single-A Fayetteville Woodpeckers before being shut down with elbow discomfort, preventing a return to the major leagues that season.
Chicago White Sox Era (2025)
On November 4, 2024, the Chicago White Sox claimed Murfee off waivers. In 15 appearances for Chicago, he posted an 0–1 record with a 7.82 ERA and 13 strikeouts across 12⅔ innings, struggling to find his form following the long layoff. On May 6, 2025, the White Sox removed him from the 40-man roster and outrighted him to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights.
With Charlotte, Murfee appeared in 22 games and went 2–1 with a 4.09 ERA, recording 16 strikeouts, one save, and 22 innings of work. The White Sox released him on August 1, 2025, after which he became a free agent.
Notable Events and Milestones
Murfee’s career highlight came in his 2022 rookie season with Seattle, when he went 4–0 with a 2.99 ERA across 64 appearances, establishing himself as a reliable bullpen arm. His selection to the 2019 WBSC Premier 12 roster for the United States national team was another notable milestone. The 2023 ulnar collateral ligament surgery marked the most significant setback of his professional career.
Penn Murfee Career Wins
Across his MLB career, William Penn Murfee has recorded 5 wins, 3 losses, a 3.38 ERA, and 105 strikeouts. His major league victories have all come in relief appearances, with most of his success occurring during his 2022 rookie campaign with the Seattle Mariners.
MLB Highlights
Murfee earned his first MLB win as part of his 4–0 rookie season with Seattle in 2022, finishing the year with a 2.29 ERA in 64 relief appearances. He continued to pitch effectively early in 2023, recording a 1.29 ERA over 16 outings before his season-ending elbow surgery. He recorded his fifth career MLB win in limited action with the White Sox organization in 2025.
Minor League Highlights
In the minor leagues, Murfee posted a 6–5 record with a 3.57 ERA and 136 strikeouts across three affiliates in 2019, earning the Mariners’ “60 ft., 6-in Club” Award that fall. He followed that with a 7–3 mark and 4.23 ERA between Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Tacoma in 2021.
Penn Murfee Family
Family Background and Education
William Penn Murfee was raised in Nashville, Tennessee, and attended Montgomery Bell Academy, one of the city’s prominent college-preparatory schools. He later attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville and transferred to Santa Clara University in California for his redshirt senior season, completing his college baseball career on the West Coast.
2025 Season Performance
Murfee entered 2025 with the Chicago White Sox, where he struggled to a 7.82 ERA in 15 big-league appearances. After being outrighted to Triple-A Charlotte on May 6, he worked his way back to form with the Knights, going 2–1 with a 4.09 ERA across 22 outings. The White Sox released him on August 1, 2025, returning him to free agency as he continues to pursue another major league opportunity.