Calvert Hall catcher Alex Murphy says he has agreed to terms with the Orioles

High school catcher Alex Murphy, drafted in round six by the Orioles out of Calvert Hall in Baltimore today, told MASNsports.com tonight that he has already agreed to terms with the team. He has not been officially signed and there has not been any announcement, but the deal has been agreed to and he will soon report to Sarasota, Fla., for orientation with his hometown team. "I haven't signed anything yet, but I will be signing and I'm proud to be an Oriole," Murphy said. Murphy is a lifelong resident of Mount Airy, Md., near the Carroll County/Frederick County line and he lives a few minutes from Harry Grove Stadium, home of the O's Single-A Frederick Keys. Hearing he could be taken today by the Orioles, he was with 20 members of his family and friends this afternoon at a restaurant near his home when the official word came. "It was an unreal feeling," Murphy said. "I thought they might draft me. When I saw my name go across the screen, it was an indescribable feeling. There is nothing in my life that has ever been like that. It gave me chills. Now I get to follow my goals and my dreams. "My dad had season tickets when I was growing up to the O's games and the Frederick Keys stadium is 15 minutes from my house. I go there all the time." Murphy said he put out the word to teams that if he was drafted in round seven or later, he would likely honor his college commitment and play at Wake Forest. The O's took him in round six with the 189th overall pick. It has been quite a few days for this young man. Last week, he was named the Gatorade Maryland Player of the Year, now he is drafted by his hometown team and already has agreed to terms. Murphy said after he goes to Sarasota for workouts and gets started as an Oriole, he might be sent to short-season Single-A Aberdeen to play for the IronBirds, whose season begins June 17.