Mason Miller only needed one month — really, a couple weeks — to ascend from hidden gem to national treasure.
Following one of the most dominant and electrifying runs by a reliever in recent memory, Miller was named the American League’s Reliever of the Month for April, the first of potentially many times the 25-year-old will take home the honor.
“It’s an honor,” Miller said. “I think a lot of guys are out there throwing the ball well, so to have my name called means a lot. I’m proud of what I’m doing here, and it’s nice to get that recognition.”
“It’s well-deserved,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said of Miller. “He’s done an amazing job in this role. He’s obviously impacted … maybe not every win, but in the vast majority of our wins, he’s had something to do with it.”
Miller finished baseball’s first full month with a 1.35 ERA with 28 strikeouts to four walks across 13 1/3 innings, recording eight saves in eight opportunities. Entering Friday, Miller leads all relievers in K/9 (18.2), K% (53.7%) and fWAR (1.1). The one number that especially stands out, though, is Miller’s FIP — a metric that Miller essentially broke.
FIP, or Fielding Independent Pitching, is a stat that focuses on what pitchers can control: strikeouts, walks and home runs. Similar to ERA, lower is better. Miller finished April with a FIP of -0.16, and his -0.07 FIP is currently the best mark in the league. While it is not mathematically possible to have an ERA below zero, Miller’s combination of high strikeouts, low walks and no home runs pushed the boundaries of FIP’s formula.
Miller, who has already thrown 97 pitches of at least 100 mph, has had no shortage of highlights, but there’s one sequence that stands above the rest.
On April 22, Miller entered the ninth inning with the A’s leading the Yankees by two runs. He’d need to go through the heart of the Yankees’ order to record the save: Anthony Volpe, Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. Miller proceeded to strike out the side — all swinging, all on pitches that topped 102 mph — to shut the door.
“I’m proud of the work that I’ve put in, so seeing it reflect on the field is almost the expectation I have for myself,” Miller said when asked if he surprises himself. “But seeing myself do it on the big stage or watching a video back, I think there’s definitely been some moments where it’s like, ‘I really did that.'”
Added Kotsay: “Mason’s a man’s man. He’ll talk, but he doesn’t talk just to talk. He’s a business-first guy. You can get him to laugh or smile once in a while, but his work ethic is blue collar.”
Earlier this week, Miller had the opportunity to meet someone who has also made a transition transitioning from starting to relieving: Dennis Eckersley.
“He caught me off guard, for sure,” Miller said. “He wasn’t somebody who I expected to come walking through the clubhouse. Seeing a legend like appreciate what you’re doing, that’s special.”
Miller spearheads a bullpen that has quietly been one of baseball’s best, a unit that also includes set-up man Lucas Erceg, Mitch Spence and T.J. McFarland, among other arms. Entering Friday, the A’s are tied with the Yankees for best bullpen ERA (2.45). Oakland’s relievers are also third in FIP (3.13) and fWAR (1.7), as well as fourth in left on base percentage (76.9%).
“Our bullpen has been as good as anybody’s,” Miller said. “The trickle-down effect from that has been awesome. Guys throwing the ball well is contagious.”
Miller becomes Oakland’s first reliever to win the award since Lou Trivino in June 2021. The Cardinals’ Ryan Helsely was the National League’s recipient.
“I hope it’s not the last one I get,” Miller laughed. “It’ll always have a special place, the first one.”
Harris earns first call-up
Brett Harris, the A’s No. 9 prospect per MLB Pipeline, earned the first major-league call-up of his career, slated to hit ninth and play third base as he makes his debut.
“It’s very exciting,” Harris said. “I don’t think it’s set in quite just yet. I think once I get out there and see my family and friends, it will probably set in. I’m trying not to make the moment any bigger than it really is. It’s obviously a big moment for me, but I’m trying to enjoy the little things.”
Harris, 25, had a .289 batting average and .874 OPS with three home runs in 27 games for Triple-A Las Vegas. The seventh-round pick out of Gonzaga primarily plays third base, logging 229 career minor league games at the position, but he’s spent time at second base (30 games) and shortstop (seven games) as well.
“He’s a plus defender,” Kotsay said. “His bat will play. He’s got some power, but he’s got a really good eye. He’s got really good zone discipline. … It’ll be a great opportunity. He’s going to be in there tonight at third base and this is his opportunity to go out and take advantage of this.”
Additionally, J.D. Davis was reinstated from the 10-day injured list. As part of the corresponding moves, infielder Nick Allen was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas while right-hander Freddy Tarnok, who is dealing with right hip inflammation, was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
A previous version of this story stated that Miller finished April with a 1.26 ERA, 29 strikeouts, 14 1/3 innings and a -0.07 FIP. Those are Miller's current stats, and this story has been updated to reflect his performance solely in April.
