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Miller: MLB's Next Relief Pitching Legend?
5 Mar
Summary
- Mason Miller transitioned to a reliever for health in 2024.
- He was traded to the San Diego Padres last season.
- ESPN predicts Miller will have one of the best relief seasons ever.
Mason Miller, initially a third-round pick for the Athletics, has rapidly ascended since his 2023 MLB debut. In 2024, he was strategically transitioned into a relief pitcher to manage his health, a move that proved successful for the hard-throwing righty.
During the trade deadline last season, Miller was sent to the San Diego Padres. With key pitchers Michael King and Dylan Cease facing free agency, there was speculation Miller might return to starting. However, these thoughts were dismissed, and he is slated to be San Diego's closer in 2026.
Under new manager Craig Stammen, a former reliever, Miller's usage is expected to be optimized. ESPN's Buster Olney has high praise, predicting that at 27 years old, Miller will "post one of the best seasons ever for a relief pitcher." Miller already leads MLB with an average four-seam fastball velocity of 101.2 mph, complemented by a devastating slider and changeup, making him a formidable high-leverage arm.
