The Oakland Athletics don’t have a lot going for them these days. From the Las Vegas situation to just being a mediocre team, there’s not much to look forward to for the Green & Gold. Except, there is one player who is making noise. Mason Miller has been phenomenal since becoming Oakland’s closer, and is becoming the main reason people are tuning in to watch the A’s.
The Best Closer In The American League… Is From A Division III School?
Miller was drafted by the Athletics in 2021 from Gardner-Webb University. After playing at the University of Waynesberg for four years, he would play one season in the Big South. Miller was 8-1 for the Runnin’ Bulldogs, with a 3.79 ERA.
It took two years, but Miller would be called up to the majors on April 18th, 2023. He was always a starter, and made his Major League Debut on April 19th. He went 4 2/3 innings, allowing just four hits and two runs in a 12-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs.
Oakland continued to try him as a starter for three more games, but they all ended up in losses. It’s not like he didn’t play well. Against the Mariners on May 2nd, he went seven innings and didn’t allow a single hit or run. In the next start, he threw six innings of two-run ball.
But, an elbow injury forced him to miss a decent amount of time. He would make his return in early September, but would come out of the bullpen for the rest of the year.
Though he didn’t need Tommy John Surgery for his elbow injury, the A’s were fearful about what would happen if he were to go back to being a starter. So, they moved him into the bullpen officially for 2024.
It’s Been A Great Decision, So Far.
Since becoming Oakland’s closer, Mason Miller has more fans than usual interested in watching the Oakland Athletics. Erase his first appearance against the Cleveland Guardians (three hits, two earned runs allowed), and he’s been absolutely dominant. Miller has appeared in seven games since, and has allowed just three hits and zero runs. The fireballer has not allowed a hit in five games.
More importantly, he is striking batters out with ease. He’s recorded seven straight games with at least two strikeouts as the closer, firing pitches of 100+ MPH past batters. With a slider and changeup as alternatives, his arsenal is solid.
103, 103, 102!
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 22, 2024
Mason Miller is electric pic.twitter.com/B234OyrHgu
His ERA is now at 1.80, and has recorded five saves thus far (tied for ninth in the league).
In a year where we don’t expect the Athletics to do much or be worth watching, Mason Miller has changed all of that. If he continues to perform at this level, he could represent the A’s at the All-Star Game outright. With his pitch arsenal and ability to get batters out with ease (no blown saves so far), he is making an argument to be the best closer in baseball.
Make sure to visit Belly Up Sports every week and follow me on Twitter/X!
Featured Image: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
