Mason Miller
{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1998)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
| name = Mason Miller
| image =
| caption =
| team = Athletics
| number = 19
| position = Pitcher
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|8|24}}
| birth_place = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| bats = Right
| throws = Right
| debutleague = MLB
| debutdate = April 19
| debutyear = 2023
| debutteam = Oakland Athletics
| statyear = July 10, 2025
| statleague = MLB
| stat1label = Win–loss record
| stat1value = 3–7
| stat2label = Earned run average
| stat2value = 3.27
| stat3label = Strikeouts
| stat3value = 196
| stat4label = Saves
| stat4value = 45
| teams =
- Oakland Athletics / Athletics ({{mlby|2023}}–present)
| awards =
- All-Star (2024)
- All-MLB Second Team (2024)
}}
Mason James Miller (born August 24, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2023. He was selected for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game.
Career
Miller played for Bethel Park High School in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, while being homeschooled, and played college baseball at Waynesburg University for four years until he graduated. He then played for Gardner-Webb University for his fifth year as a graduate student.{{cite web | url=https://thealmanac.net/sports/bethel-parks-miller-takes-talents-to-gardner-webb/article_89b3e8d2-9b93-11ea-9bdc-e392ee0076dd.html | title=Bethel Park's Miller takes talents to Gardner-Webb }}{{cite web | url=https://www.shelbystar.com/story/sports/college/baseball/2021/05/22/gardner-webb-pitcher-mason-miller-receiving-attention-mlb-scouts/5199816001/ | title=How fate and a fastball converged to turn a Gardner-Webb pitcher into a MLB prospect }}{{cite web | url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/other-colleges/2021/03/31/Bethel-Park-Mason-Miller-MLB-Prospect-pitcher-Gardner-Webb-Waynesburg-University-ace/stories/202103310028 | title=Bethel Park's Mason Miller evolving into legitimate MLB prospect at Gardner-Webb }} As a sophomore at Waynesburg, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.{{cite web | url=https://thealmanac.net/sports/waynesburg-pitcher-striking-out-opponents-including-diabetes/article_0eb67f92-71b8-11e9-9975-5785fa0cc74c.html | title=Waynesburg pitcher striking out opponents, including diabetes }}{{cite web | url=https://observer-reporter.com/sports/pro_sports/mason-miller-drafted-in-third-round-by-oakland/article_d5a4d94e-e35f-11eb-8bf6-b7c63ea80144.html | title=Mason Miller drafted in third round by Oakland }}
The Oakland Athletics selected Miller in the third round of the 2021 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mason-miller-drafted-by-oakland-athletics-in-third-round | title=3rd-round pick Miller a tale of perseverance | website=MLB.com }}{{cite web | url=https://triblive.com/sports/bethel-parks-mason-miller-taken-in-mlb-draft-third-round-by-athletics/ | title=Bethel Park's Mason Miller taken in 3rd round of MLB draft by Athletics | date=July 12, 2021 }} He made his professional debut that year with the Arizona Complex League Athletics. In 2022, Miller pitched in only six games between the ACL Athletics, Lansing Lugnuts and Las Vegas Aviators. After the season, he played in the Arizona Fall League.{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3653537/2022/10/04/oakland-as-prospect-mason-miller/ | title=A's prospect Mason Miller riding a 100-MPH fastball into the AFL spotlight }}
Miller began the 2023 season with the Double-A Midland RockHounds, starting one game for the team before being moved up to Triple-A Las Vegas. After one start in Triple-A, on April 18, 2023, with 11 strikeouts over 5 perfect innings, the Athletics announced that Miller would be promoted to the major leagues for the first time.{{Cite web|title=Athletics’ Mason Miller: MLB debut imminent|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-mason-miller-mlb-debut-imminent/amp/|access-date=April 18, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} Miller made his debut a day later, in a game against the Chicago Cubs. Miller pitched 4{{1/3}} innings, allowing two runs on four hits, a walk, and five strikeouts.{{Cite web |title=Cubs 12, Athletics 2 Final Score (04/19/2023) on MLB Gameday |url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/cubs-vs-athletics/2023/04/19/718506/final/box |access-date=April 21, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} He also became the 10th starting pitcher since the debut of Statcast to throw 15 pitches above {{convert|100|mph}}.{{Cite web |title=Miller hits triple-digits 15 times in electrifying debut |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mason-miller-strikes-out-five-in-major-league-debut |access-date=April 21, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} After a May 8 start against the Kansas City Royals,{{Cite web|title=Athletics’ Mason Miller: Handed loss No. 2|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-mason-miller-handed-loss-no-2/|access-date=May 18, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} it was reported that Miller was dealing with elbow tightness.{{Cite web|title=Athletics’ Mason Miller: Dealing with elbow tightness|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-mason-miller-dealing-with-elbow-tightness/|access-date=May 18, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He was later diagnosed with a mild sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow and promptly shut down from throwing.{{Cite web|title=Athletics’ Mason Miller: Has mild UCL sprain|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-mason-miller-has-mild-ucl-sprain/|access-date=May 18, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} On June 30, he was transferred to the 60-day injured list.{{Cite web|title=Athletics’ Mason Miller: Moved to 60-day IL|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-mason-miller-moved-to-60-day-il/amp/|access-date=June 30, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} On September 6, Miller was activated from the injured list, with manager Mark Kotsay noting that Miller would be slated for a relief role.{{Cite web|title=Athletics' Mason Miller: Activated, but slated for relief|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-mason-miller-activated-but-slated-for-relief/amp/|access-date=September 6, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}
In an effort to maintain Miller's health, the A's announced that Miller would be a reliever during the 2024 season.{{cite news |last1=Burke |first1=Jason |title=A's Mason Miller Moving to Bullpen in 2024 |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/athletics/news/as-mason-miller-moving-to-bullpen-in-2024 |work=Sports Illustrated |date=December 5, 2023 |language=en}} Beginning the season as the team's closer, Miller earned his first career save in a 4–3 win at Texas on April 9.{{cite news |title=Athletics' Mason Miller: Locks down first career save |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-mason-miller-locks-down-first-career-save/ |work=CBSSports.com |date=April 10, 2024 |language=en}} Miller was named MLB Reliever of the Month for April 2024 after earning 8 saves in 8 opportunities and 28 total strikeouts.{{cite news |last1=Delos Santos |first1=Justice |title=Mason Miller wins American League Reliever of the Month |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/05/03/mason-miller-wins-american-league-reliever-of-the-month/ |work=The Mercury News |date=May 3, 2024}}
On July 7, 2024, Miller was named as a reserve player in the 2024 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.{{cite web |last1=Nightengale |first1=Bob |title=MLB All-Star Game reserves, pitchers: Pirates' Paul Skenes makes history with selection |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2024/07/07/mlb-all-star-game-rosters-al-nl-rosters/74322148007/ |website=usatoday.com |access-date=July 10, 2024}}
On September 26, 2024, Miller became the last pitcher to throw a pitch at the Oakland Coliseum in a major league game.{{Cite web |title=Texas Rangers vs Oakland Athletics Box Score: September 26, 2024 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK202409260.shtml |access-date=September 29, 2024 |website=Baseball Reference |language=en-US}}
Personal life
Miller is an Eagle Scout.{{cite news |last1=Destin |first1=Andrew |title=How Bethel Park’s Mason Miller has overcome all odds to make the school's first MLB debut |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/mlb/2023/04/19/mason-miller-bethel-park-oakland-athletics-mlb-debut-type-1-diabetes/stories/202304180126|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=April 19, 2023}} He grew up as a fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates.{{Cite web |last=Gallegos |first=Martín |date=2024-10-08 |title=Young diabetics finding a champion in A's star closer |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mason-miller-raising-awareness-for-children-with-diabetes |access-date= |website=MLB.com |language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{baseballstats|mlb=695243|espn=4730225|br=m/millema03|fangraphs=31757|brm=miller002mas|retro=M/Pmillm004}}
{{Oakland Athletics roster navbox}}
{{Sporting News MLB Rookie of the year}}
{{2024 All MLB Team}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Miller, Mason}}
Category:American League All-Stars
Category:Arizona Complex League Athletics players
Category:Athletics (baseball) players
Category:Baseball players from Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Category:Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs baseball players
Category:Lansing Lugnuts players
Category:Las Vegas Aviators players
Category:Major League Baseball pitchers
Category:Mesa Solar Sox players
Category:Midland RockHounds players
Category:Oakland Athletics players