Athletics general manager David Forst said this week that right-handed closer Mason Miller will remain in a relief role for the team next year and they are "not talking about moving him back into a starting role." Miller, a third-round pick in 2021 out of Gardner-Webb University, came up through the minors as a starter. When the A's decided to initially use him out of the bullpen when he advanced to the majors, they kept open the idea of returning him to a starting role down the road. It looks like that won't be happening now, and you can't blame the A's after the 26-year-old flamethrower developed into one of the most dominant closers in the game in 2024. In just his second year in the big leagues, Miller made his first All-Star team by posting a 2.49 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, his first 28 career saves, 104 strikeouts and 21 walks in 65 innings. Despite being on the A's, Miller is an elite fantasy closer heading into 2025.
Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller nabbed his 23rd save of the campaign in Wednesday night's win over the hosting Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park, working around a hit and a walk in the victory. Miller struck out Reds outfielder Will Benson to seal the Athletics' 9-6 win over Cincinnati on Wednesday, fanning two during a scoreless ninth inning. The hard-throwing 24-year-old right-hander has solidified himself as a franchise cornerstone for the A's and one of the top closers in the game in 2024, accruing a 2.08 ERA and 0.85 WHIP while punching out 86, walking just 18, and converting 23 of his 25 save opportunities over 52 innings.
Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller made things interesting but came away with his 22nd save of the season in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Reds. Miller came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning up by three. He got the first out on a strikeout, allowed back-to-back singles, and got the second out on an RBI groundout. He then allowed an RBI single and a double but left the tying run stranded at third with another strikeout. This wasn't Miller's finest outing but he has been excellent all season long and hadn't allowed any runs since July 2. The 26-year-old has converted all but two of his save opportunities with a 2.12 ERA, a 14.82 K/9 rate, and a 3.00 BB/9 rate in 51 innings of work.
Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller picked up his 20th save of the season in the team's 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday at Oakland Coliseum. In his inning of work, Miller allowed a hit to rookie outfielder Kameron Misner, walked none and struck out two. The right-handed fireballer threw 14 of his 19 pitches for strikes and reached the 20-save mark for the first time in his career in what has been a breakout 2024 season. The 25-year-old former third-round selection in 2021 out of Gardner-Webb University has only blown two of his save chances as Oakland's full-time closer this year while also posting an excellent 1.85 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 81:17 K:BB in 48 2/3 innings pitched. The A's had a chance to get several high-end prospects in return for Miller at this year's trade deadline, but they balked at the opportunity and now view Miller as a building block for the future.
Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller recorded a six-out save to finish off the New York Mets in Thursday's win at Citi Field, striking out three batters to preserve the victory. Miller got Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez to fly out to close out the A's 7-6 win in the longest nine-inning regular-season game of the pitch-clock era during a high-scoring affair in Queens on Thursday. The fire-balling 25-year-old right-hander has bloomed into one of the game's most dominant stoppers in 2024, producing a 1.97 ERA and 0.79 WHIP with 76 strikeouts and 16 walks while converting 18 of his 20 save opportunities across 45 2/3 frames as Oakland's closer.
Oakland Athletics reliever Mason Miller earned his 17th save on Saturday afternoon in a 1-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Miller has a win, 17 saves, a 2.11 ERA, a 0.82 WHIP, and 73 strikeouts in 42 innings. Miller was activated from the injured list earlier this week after breaking the pinky finger on his left hand two weeks ago. Miller continues to be one of the most exciting young pitchers in baseball and will look to continue his dominance in the series finale tomorrow against the Blue Jays.
Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller (finger) notched his 16th save of the season in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox. The 25-year-old was activated from the injured list on Wednesday and recorded a save in his first appearance back. Miller has been excellent all season long. In 35 appearances (41 2/3 IP), he has a 2.16 ERA, a 0.82 WHIP, and a 15.49 K:9, leading all-qualified major league relievers. Miller has a very bright future ahead of him. He will be one of the best closers in all of fantasy baseball and one of the best pitchers in the MLB.
A's To Reinstate Mason Miller From Injured List On Wednesday
The Oakland Athletics plan to activate closer Mason Miller (finger) from the 15-day injured list on Wednesday, according to manager Mark Kotsay. Miller won't miss more than the minimum time on the IL, as expected, after fracturing the pinkie finger on his left hand shortly after the All-Star break. Since the injury was to the 25-year-old's non-throwing hand, fantasy managers shouldn't have anything to worry about. Tyler Ferguson had been serving as Oakland's fill-in closer since they traded Lucas Erceg to the Kansas City Royals at last week's trade deadline, but he'll go back to a high-leverage setup role with Miller returning this week. Miller is one of the most dominant ninth-inning arms in baseball and needs to immediately be returned to starting fantasy lineups on Wednesday.
Mason Miller Throws Live BP, Could Be Activated Soon
Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller (finger) threw 15 pitches in a live batting practice session on Monday and came away feeling healthy. Miller could be activated from the 15-day injured list when he's eligible to return on Friday. Miller threw his first BP session on Monday after playing catch for the first time without a cast on his left (non-throwing) hand on Saturday. The 25-year-old flamethrower is recovering from a fractured pinkie finger on his left hand and should immediately return to the A's closing role this week when he's activated. There's no reason why Miller should be floating around any waiver wires. While Miller doesn't see a ton of save chances in Oakland, he does have 15 saves and a whopping 70 strikeouts in 40 2/3 innings this year. Until Miller is able to return later this week, Tyler Ferguson should see any save chances that may arise for the A's.
Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Mason Miller (finger) was seen playing catch on Saturday without a cast and is set to throw live BP on Monday, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Miller has been logging successful bullpen sessions while wearing a cast on his non-throwing hand but will now progress to the next step without the protection. The hard-throwing right-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list on July 25 after fracturing his left pinkie. Before the injury, the 25-year-old was enjoying a big sophomore season, boasting a 2.21 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and a 14:70 BB:K ratio across 40 innings of work. Under the hood, he carried a 45.8% K rate, 38.2% chase rate, and a 43.0% whiff rate, which are the best marks in the sport. Fantasy managers could expect the top-tier reliever back on the mound potentially earlier than expected, given his progression so far. When he returns, Miller will be one of the best relievers in all formats, given his incredible strikeout potential despite the limited save opportunities.
Mason Miller
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