The Tribune

By JONATHAN BURROWS

Tribune Sports Reporter

jburrows@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN baseball standout Bertram “BJ” Murray Jr is continuing to make noise at the Triple-A level, and he did it in emphatic fashion over the weekend by hitting leadoff home runs in consecutive games for the Iowa Cubs.

Murray opened the scoring in Iowa’s 4-3 extra-inning victory over the Omaha Storm Chasers on Friday before doing it again Saturday, sending a line drive over the right-field wall in the first inning for his 16th home run of the season. The Iowa Cubs confirmed the second blast as Murray’s 16th of the campaign. 

The back-to-back homers have added to what has already been a productive 2026 season for the 26-year-old Nassau native, who has established himself as one of the more consistent offensive players in the Chicago Cubs’ Triple-A system.

According to Baseball-Reference, Murray entered Sunday with 16 home runs, nine triples, 68 RBI and nine stolen bases while batting .296 with a .398 on-base percentage, .505 slugging percentage and .903 OPS over 117 games for Iowa. His 49 extra-base hits include 24 doubles and nine triples, giving him considerable production beyond his home-run total. 

His 16 home runs are particularly significant considering the offensive consistency he has shown throughout the season.

MLB’s Statcast database has Murray at a .294 batting average, .400 on-base percentage, .487 slugging percentage and .887 OPS in 2026, with 121 hits, 14 home runs and 62 RBI in its most recently updated statistical snapshot.

The differing totals reflect the timing of statistical updates, but Iowa’s official game log confirms that Murray reached 16 home runs with Saturday’s homer.  

The weekend power display is another reminder of how far Murray has come since being selected by the Cubs in the 15th round, 454th overall, in the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft out of Florida Atlantic University.

Murray played three seasons at FAU and finished his college career with a .264 batting average, 18 home runs, 65 RBI and a .875 OPS across 92 games, according to Baseball-Reference. He made his professional debut later in 2021 and has steadily worked his way through the Cubs’ system. 

His development included a standout 2023 season with Double-A Tennessee, where he hit .263 with 16 home runs, 74 RBI, 34 doubles and 14 stolen bases in 124 games. He was subsequently selected to play in the 2023 All-Star Futures Game, representing the National League. 

Murray spent much of 2025 back at Double-A Knoxville and responded with 20 home runs and 89 RBI in 125 games before returning to Iowa for the 2026 season. 

That return to Triple-A has produced a significant offensive rebound.

MLB’s Statcast scouting report credits Murray with strong plate discipline and describes him as a switch-hitter capable of providing average and power while also contributing on the bases.

The Cubs have used him at several positions, including third base, first base and left field, as they continue to develop his defensive versatility. 

Murray has also continued to represent Great Britain internationally, playing in the 2023 and 2026 World Baseball Classic tournaments. 

Now in his sixth professional season, Murray remains without a Major League appearance.

But his 2026 production has once again put him in position to remain on the radar of the Cubs’ organisation.

The latest power surge has only strengthened that case.

After becoming the first Iowa hitter to lead off consecutive games with home runs this weekend, Murray will look to carry that momentum into the final stretch of the Triple-A season as he continues his pursuit of a long-awaited opportunity in Chicago.