A’s closer Mason Miller wows with 100 mph showcase vs. Yankees

Apr 23, 2024, 8:34 AM

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 22: Shea Langeliers #23 and Mason Miller #19 of the Oakland Athletics ce...

(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

Mason Miller is putting the baseball world on notice.

The hard-throwing right-hander put on a show during the Oakland Athletics’ 2-0 win over the New York Yankees on Monday afternoon, lighting up the radar gun for an average of 101.8 miles per hour on eight fastballs and creating 12 swing-and-misses on 14 pitches.

Miller’s opposition in the batter’s box looked daunting on paper, as the 25-year-old would have to go through New York’s star-studded 1-2-3 in the order, with talented shortstop Anthony Volpe, star slugger Juan Soto, and 2022 American League MVP winner Aaron Judge standing in his way.

The results?

Volpe: Strikeout swinging on a 102 mph fastball.

Soto: Strikeout swinging on a 103 mph fastball.

Judge: Strikeout swinging on a 102 mph fastball.

Mason Miller bringing the heat on 3 K’s to secure the save for the @Athletics:
102.5 mph
103.3
102.5 pic.twitter.com/40LrUknByb

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 22, 2024

Miller, who has thrown the eight-fastest pitches in Major League Baseball this season, told reporters that pitching his first career game at Yankee Stadium didn’t phase him on Monday.

“I mean, walking around before the game, yeah, it’s definitely got a different air about it, for sure,” Miller said of facing the Yankees in New York. “But getting in the game, it’s me and the guy in the box. You know, obviously, three really talented hitters and a really talented team, so to lock it down like that was great.”

The 97th selection from the 2021 MLB Draft has been electric over seven relief appearances this season, pitching to a 1.80 ERA while striking out an incredible 20 batters over ten innings pitched (18.0 strikeouts per nine innings pitched). Miller has been a lock-down closer, securing all five of his chances thus far.

“I mean, the kid from day one in this role has embraced it,” Kotsay told reporters after the A’s win. “He’s got the stuff to be a back-end guy. He’s starting to prove it right now. There’s a lot of confidence when he takes that mound behind him, as well.

“It’s a good sign for a young pitcher coming to Yankee Stadium to get his first save [at that stadium] and, you know, go one-two-three.”

Miller missed most of the 2023 season due to a right UCL sprain, but the righty has returned with momentum and is quickly turning into one of baseball’s must-watch attractions.