Kyle Muller

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Kyle Muller

|image =

|team = Chunichi Dragons

|number = 93

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|10|7}}

|birth_place = Dallas, Texas, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Left

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = June 16

|debutyear = 2021

|debutteam = Atlanta Braves

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = 2024 season

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 4–11

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 5.90

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 141

|teams =

Atlanta Braves ({{mlby|2021}}–{{mlby|2022}})
Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|2023}}–{{mlby|2024}})

}}

Kyle Douglas Muller (born October 7, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves and Oakland Athletics.

He was drafted by the Braves in the second round of the 2016 MLB draft, and made his MLB debut with them in 2021. He was traded to Athletics after the 2022 season where he played for two seasons before being designated for assignment in 2024 and declaring free agency.

Amateur career

Muller attended Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas in Dallas, Texas. He was a pitcher and outfielder. During his senior year he set the national record for strikeouts in a row with 24.{{cite news|url=http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/high-school/high-schools/2016/03/28/texas-baseball-signee-kyle-muller-strikes-first-18-hitters-finishes-21-strikeouts-8-inning-win-vs-irving|title=Texas baseball signee Kyle Muller strikes out 24 in a row to break national record|date=28 March 2016|work=Dallas Morning News|first=Greg|last=Little|access-date=1 January 2018}} He was named the Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year after going 8–0 with a 0.46 earned run average (ERA) and 133 strikeouts as a pitcher and hit .396 with 15 home runs and 52 runs batted in (RBI).{{cite news|url=http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/high-school/high-schools/2016/05/24/jesuit-senior-kyler-muller-named-texas-gatorade-baseball-player-year|title=Jesuit senior Kyler Muller named Texas Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year|date=24 May 2016|work=Dallas Morning News|access-date=1 January 2018|first=Avi|last=Zaleon}}{{cite news|url=http://usatodayhss.com/2016/kyle-muller-wins-gatorade-national-baseball-player-of-the-year|title=Kyle Muller wins Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year|date=6 June 2016|work=USA Today|access-date=1 January 2018}} Muller also played high school basketball.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

Muller committed to the University of Texas at Austin to play college baseball for the Texas Longhorns.

Professional career

=Atlanta Braves=

The Atlanta Braves selected Muller with the 44th pick of the 2016 MLB draft.{{cite news|url=http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/high-school/high-schools/2016/04/11/decisions-decisions-jesuits-muller-faces-choice-pitcher-hitter-ut-mlb|first=Matt|last=Wixon|title=Decisions, decisions; Jesuit's Muller faces choice between pitcher or hitter, UT or MLB|date=11 April 2016|work=Dallas Morning News|access-date=1 January 2018}} He signed with the Braves, receiving a $2.5 million signing bonus, to forgo his commitment to Texas.{{cite news|url=http://www.wfaa.com/sports/jesuit-p-kyle-muller-braves-agree-25-million-deal/243949934|title=Jesuit P Kyle Muller, Braves agree $2.5 million deal|publisher=WFAA|access-date=1 January 2018}}

After signing, Muller was assigned to the GCL Braves, where he posted a 1-0 record with a 0.65 ERA in {{fraction|27|2|3}} innings pitched. In 2017, Muller pitched for the Danville Braves where he pitched to a 1-1 record and 4.15 ERA in 11 games started.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=666205#/career/R/pitching/2017/ALL|title=Kyle Muller Stats, Highlights, Bio|publisher=MILB.com|access-date=December 10, 2017}} He began the 2018 season with the Rome Braves,{{cite news |last1=Mayo |first1=Johnathan |title=Where Braves' Top 30 prospects are starting season |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/where-braves-top-prospects-are-starting-2018/c-270785116 |access-date=August 7, 2018 |work=MLB.com |date=April 5, 2018}} and was promoted to the Florida Fire Frogs on May 8.{{cite news |last1=Wellham |first1=David |title=A look at Cristian Pache and four other key players at high-A Florida |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/baseball/look-cristian-pache-and-four-other-key-players-high-florida/y5nhXwhSRR4VmxHEyZDNoO/ |access-date=August 7, 2018 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=May 24, 2018}} He joined the Mississippi Braves on August 6.{{cite news |title=LHP Kyle Muller Promoted to M-Braves, RHP Connor Johnstone to Florida |url=http://www.wlbt.com/story/38824626/lhp-kyle-muller-promoted-to-m-braves-rhp-connor-johnstone-to-florida |access-date=August 7, 2018 |publisher=WLBT |date=August 6, 2018}} In 25 starts between the three clubs, Muller went 11-3 with a 3.03 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP, while leading the league with 16 wild pitches.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=666205#/career/R/pitching/2018/ALL|title=Kyle Muller Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=MiLB.com|access-date=January 1, 2019}} Muller spent the entire 2019 season with Mississippi. He had a 7-6 record and a 3.14 ERA in 22 starts.

Muller did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news |last1=Adler |first1=David |title=2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled |access-date=April 22, 2023 |publisher=MLB.com |date=June 30, 2020}} After the year, the Braves added Muller to their 40-man roster.{{cite news |last1=Burns |first1=Gabriel |title=Braves add LHP Kyle Muller to 40-man roster |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braves-add-lhp-kyle-muller-to-40-man-roster/OG3DVL53FZEWJOFXEXTB5QLGPQ/ |access-date=November 22, 2020 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=November 19, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Braves add Muller to 40-man, claim Mayfield |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/kyle-muller-added-to-braves-40-man-roster |access-date=November 22, 2020 |work=MLB.com |date=November 20, 2020}}

On June 16, 2021, Muller was promoted to the major leagues for the first time after Tucker Davidson was placed on the injured list.{{cite news |last1=Burns |first1=Gabriel |title=Braves promote LHP prospect Kyle Muller |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braves-promote-lhp-prospect-kyle-muller/N5POMIDIDJGVVIKT3IEEXYOESM/ |access-date=April 22, 2023 |work=Atlanta Journal Constitution |date=June 16, 2021}} He made his MLB debut that day, pitching one inning and allowing two runs against the Boston Red Sox.{{cite news |title=Arroyo's pinch slam sends surging Red Sox past Braves, 10-8 |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401228063 |access-date=April 22, 2023 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN.com |date=June 16, 2021}} He made his first career start on June 21 against the New York Mets, allowing 1 run over 4 innings during the 4-2 loss.{{cite news |title=Searching for sticky stuff: MLB umps start checking pitchers |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401331817 |access-date=April 22, 2023 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN.com}} On July 3, Muller was optioned back down to Triple-A Gwinnett.{{cite news |last1=Burns |first1=Gabriel |title=Braves promote hot-hitting Orlando Arcia |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braves-promote-hot-hitting-orlando-arcia/ELTN3V2EVBHHXF2Q75UK6BHWUA/ |access-date=April 22, 2023 |work=Atlanta Journal Constitution |date=July 4, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Burns |first1=Gabriel |title=Braves plan to see more of Orlando Arcia in left field |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braves-eager-to-see-more-of-orlando-arcia/7BXFGA3BP5GA3GB4FBOX3DA5XY/ |access-date=April 22, 2023 |work=Atlanta Journal Constitution |date=July 5, 2021}} In 2021 with the Braves he was 2-4 with a 4.17 ERA in nine games (8 starts).{{cite web| url = https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mulleky01.shtml| title = Kyle Muller Stats {{!}} Baseball-Reference.com}}

=Oakland Athletics=

On December 12, 2022, the Oakland Athletics acquired Muller from the Braves in a three-team trade in which the Atlanta Braves acquired Sean Murphy, the Brewers acquired William Contreras, Joel Payamps, and Justin Yeager, and the Athletics also acquired Manny Piña, Esteury Ruiz, Freddy Tarnok, and Royber Salinas.{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Backstop swap: Contreras to Crew, Murphy to ATL in 3-way deal |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/sean-murphy-braves-trade |access-date=December 13, 2022 |publisher=MLB.com |date=December 12, 2022}} On March 24, 2023, Muller was named the Opening Day starter for Oakland.{{cite news |last1=Dierberger |first1=Tom |title=A's name Muller as 2023 Opening Day starter vs. Angels |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/athletics/athletics-name-kyle-muller-2023-opening-day-starter-vs-shohei-ohtani-angels |access-date=April 22, 2023 |publisher=NBC Sports |date=March 24, 2023}} He pitched five innings against the Los Angeles Angels, yielding four hits and one earned run while recording one walk and three strikeouts.{{cite news |last1=Wirth |first1=Taylor |title=Muller revels in meaningful Opening Day start vs. Angels |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/athletics/shohei-ohtani-mike-trout-matchups-icing-cake-athletics-kyle-muller |access-date=April 22, 2023 |publisher=NBC Sports |date=March 31, 2023}} In 21 games (13 starts), he registered a 1–5 record and 7.60 ERA with 56 strikeouts across 77 innings pitched.

Muller made 18 appearances for Oakland in 2024, compiling a 4.22 ERA with 35 strikeouts over {{fraction|42|2|3}} innings pitched. On August 13, 2024, Muller was designated for assignment by the Athletics.{{cite news |last1=Becker |first1=Jon |title=A’s designate last year’s Opening Day starter for assignment |url=https://www.thereporter.com/2024/08/13/as-designate-last-years-opening-day-starter-for-assignment/ |access-date=August 14, 2024 |work=The Reporter |date=August 13, 2024}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Las Vegas Aviators the next day.{{Cite web|title=Athletics' Kyle Muller: Outrighted off 40-man roster|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-kyle-muller-outrighted-off-40-man-roster/|access-date=August 14, 2024|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} On September 11, the Athletics selected Muller's contract, adding him to their active roster.{{Cite web|title=A’s Designate Jack O’Loughlin For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/09/as-designate-jack-oloughlin-for-assignment.html|access-date=September 11, 2024|website=baseballessential.com|language=en}} On November 1, 2024, he was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Las Vegas, he elected free agency the following day.{{Cite web|title=Athletics Outright Kyle Muller, Tyler Nevin|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/athletics-outright-kyle-muller-tyler-nevin.html|access-date=November 1, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}

=Chunichi Dragons=

On December 15, 2024, Muller signed with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball.{{Cite news |title=中日・新外国人投手、201センチ長身左腕、27歳のカイル・マラーを獲得、最速157キロ、23年開幕戦で大谷翔平と投げ合う：中日スポーツ・東京中日スポーツ |trans-title=Chunichi, capture new international pitcher, 201cm lefty, 27 y/o Kyle Muller, 157 km/h top velocity, dueled Shohei Otani on opening day in 2023 |url=https://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/999788?rct=dragonsnews |access-date=2024-12-14 |work=Chunichi Sports |language=ja}}

Personal life

His older brother, Chris, is also a Major League Baseball pitcher.{{cite web | last=Gallegos | first=Martin | title=Kyle Muller reacts to Athletics' Opening Day start | website=MLB.com | date=2023-03-30 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/kyle-muller-reacts-to-athletics-opening-day-start | access-date=2025-02-15}}