When MLB Develops kicked off its summer this year, MLB senior vice president of baseball development Del Matthews emphasized that the events are centered on creating an environment of brotherhood and family.
Rookie Shepard and Anthony Murphy found that in one another.
“That is what it is all about,” Matthews said recently, during the Breakthrough Series in Vero Beach, Fla. “Baseball is a journey and if you have the chance to play for a long time, you are going to see a lot of people at different levels that you played with.
“At the end of the day, it makes it better when they go on to the next level to know that they had some friends that they played and enjoyed the game with.”
Murphy, an LSU commit, and Shepard, who is committed to the University of Miami, have spent years crossing paths through MLB Develops events. Through those experiences, they created a bond that has grown alongside their baseball careers.
In January, the pair sat down during the Dream Series at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz., for a conversation reflecting on their years together growing up through MLB Develops.
Now, as they prepare for the next chapters of their journeys, the memories they've built together stand out as much as their accomplishments. Both remain focused on the shared goal of reaching the Major Leagues.
“I want to make the most of [these events] because these are going to be memories I look back at when I'm older,” Murphy said back in 2025. “[When I’m] playing in the MLB, like it's going to be stuff I cherish.”
“I definitely love [baseball],” Shepard said in 2023. “I'm thankful for everything that my parents [have done] and everything they've sacrificed. My teammates, and my coaches for pushing me to get to where I'm at now. But I just want to continue to get better and grow.”
The two met years ago through the Hank Aaron Invitational, an event that brings together approximately 250 high school players each summer.
“We had kind of our battles back and forth,” Shepard said with a smile to Murphy. “Just getting to meet you, getting to know you, it’s really been a blessing these past four to five years growing this relationship.”
Their journey together continued at the 2024 Breakthrough Series Invitational, where they were named MLB Develops co-MVPs. That event -- part of The Program, which gets underway next week -- is where the two really bonded.
“My favorite part from The Program has got to be just the experience and the knowledge,” Shepard said. “I'm learning every single day being out here with these coaches and teammates.”
Murphy shared the same sentiments, saying that what he appreciated most was the people.
“Just think of all of our teammates, we all have talent, we all are ballers, and we all just work well together,” Murphy said.
Among Murphy’s favorite shared memories was winning the 2024 WWBA 16U National Championship. For Shepard, the entire 2024 summer was special.
“Being able to grow alongside [him],” Shepard said. “It was really just great, and these past few years they go by so fast, but they've been so fun.”
Murphy played at Corona High School in California, while Shepard attended Faith Lutheran High School in Las Vegas. Both also represented the sport on one of its biggest amateur stages during last year's High School All-American Game.
As they reflected on their path together, each was asked what the future holds for the other.
“A future Hall of Famer,” Shepard said of Murphy, imagining him walking into a pro clubhouse with his “fresh” fits on. “[A] Gold Glove center fielder. [The] sky is really the limit for you, man. And I really believe that you're the next future star of this game.”
“I see you as being one of those guys who makes a historic name for himself,” Murphy said to Shepard. “Like Derek Jeter, Barry Bonds, someone who really does it for the game and changes the game, and inspires a lot of young kids to want to be like you.”
Wherever baseball takes them next, both know they'll be cheering for the other's success.
For Murphy, one dream remains unchanged.
“I feel like I'm going to be excited,” he said of the thought of hearing his name called in the Draft. “That's been my lifelong dream to be there and get to that moment. So I feel like once that happens, I'm pretty sure you'll see me jumping around the house, doing all that. You might see a couple tears come down, but it's definitely going to be making my younger self happy and … proud.”
Shepard plans to be among the first people celebrating.
“I'm going to be [his] number one fan,” Shepard said. “I'm going to be right there, hitting you up, calling you, wishing you all like all the congratulations, all the support. We've kind of gone through this whole journey together, this whole process.
“So, to watch us both do it, I feel like it will be not only cool for us, but for everyone [in] MLB Develops ... that we did it together, and it just proves that anyone really could do it.”
“Seeing the hard work pay off,” Murphy added.