Mason Miller

From BR Bullpen

Mason Miller.jpg

Mason James Miller
(The Reaper)

BR page

Biographical Information[edit]

Pitcher Mason Miller was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 3rd round of the 2021 amateur draft, out of Gardner-Webb University where he was 8-1 as a senior after transferring from Division III Waynesburg University. He had been a middling college pitcher before being diagnosed with diabetes after an internship blood test showed his blood sugar around 700 as a sophomore. Now aware of the diagnosis, his health and weight improved and he became a serious prospect.

He made an impressive major league debut with the A's less than two years later, on April 19, 2023, hitting 100 mph on the radar gun 15 times in a 12-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs. Most of the damage came after the left the ballgame, as he allowed just 2 runs on 4 hits in 4 1/3 innings, and turned the ball over to Chad Smith with the score tied, 2-2. On May 2nd, he started against his namesake Bryce Miller of the Seattle Mariners, who was making his major league debut, and put in a bid to become the first A's starting pitcher to win a game that year. He kept the Mariners hitless through seven innings, before turning the ball over to Richard Lovelady to start the 8th; however, his opponent, the unrelated Bryce, had retired the first 16 A's batters in order before giving up a first hit, and Oakland's lead was only 1-0 when Mason left the game. Lovelady ended the no-hitter bid by surrendering a game-tying homer to A.J. Pollock with one out in the 8th, and Wilson ended up with a no-decision for his great effort as Oakland eventually lost the game, 2-1. He made 6 starts in 10 games for the A's that year, going 0-3, 3.78 with 33 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings.

The Athletics decided to convert Miller to a closer in 2024, to take full advantage of his electric stuff. It worked beautifully as in his first ten outings of the season, he racked up 7 saves with a 1.46 ERA and 35 strikeouts (against just 4 walks) in 12 1/3 innings. The A's were playing better than they had in years, and he was their most talked-about player. He continued to pitch well in the following weeks, resulting in his being named the A's sole representative at the 2024 All-Star Game. In the game, one his pitches was recorded at 103.6 mph, the fastest pitch ever in a Midsummer Classic, and he was credited with the American League's 5-3 win when his teammates scored twice in the bottom of the inning in which he pitched. That made him just the third rookie pitcher ever to win an All-Star Game, after Spec Shea in 1947 and Dean Stone in 1954.

Notable Achievements[edit]

Further Reading[edit]

  • David Adler: "The flamethrower who's becoming MLB's most electric closer", mlb.com, April 27, 2024. [1]
  • Mark Bowman and Kennedi Landry: "Mason Miller lights up All-Star Game, K's Ohtani AND throws 103.6 mph: A's fireballer makes history as he and stable of AL relievers hold NL bats at bay", mlb.com, July 16, 2024. [2]
  • Michael Clair: "From DIII to throwing 103, Mason Miller's journey a wild ride", mlb.com, May 1, 2024. [3]
  • Martín Gallegos: "Miller hits triple-digits 15 times in electrifying debut: Weight gain necessitated by diabetes diagnosis adds velo to right-hander's fastball", mlb.com, April 19, 2023. [4]
  • Martín Gallegos: "Meet 'The Reaper': A's rookie takes on new persona", mlb.com, May 25, 2024. [5]
  • Martín Gallegos: "Miller's newest heater? A Skenes special", mlb.com, June 4, 2024. [6]
  • Cole Jacobson: "Three young flamethrowers named Miller share more than a last name", mlb.com, July 8, 2024. [7]

Related Sites[edit]

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