A new Oakland Athletics pitcher is getting rave reviews in his first official time with the club in Spring Training.

A’s Manager Mark Kotsay said Muller faced off against hitters from the mound on Wednesday for the first time, saying he looked as good.

“He went out, threw strikes, mixed his change up in, which you see a pitch on video and it might not do it justice, but a positive there,” Kotsay said, adding he also pitches quick, something that will play to the advantage of the new pitch clock rules.

Kotsay previously compared the 25-year-old right-handed pitcher to another familiar face in the Bay Area, former Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner.

“They share a lot of the same qualities and traits,” Kotsay said. “If Muller can find a way to turn out like Bum, we’ve got something there don’t we? It’s exciting. He’s a young arm, he’s accomplished a lot at the Triple-A level. He hasn’t had the success at the big league level in a limited capacity with the [Atlanta] Braves. So you know, you hope that he settles in and we’re excited about watching him throw in Spring Training.”

First look at Kyle Muller (6-7, 250) in the kelly green 🤩

Mark Kotsay said a couple days ago, "Pretty impressive. Kinda Mulder-Bumgarner mix." pic.twitter.com/onStstZ5Yk

— The Rickey Henderson of Blogs (@RickeyBlog) February 19, 2023

The Athletics acquire Kyle Muller

Last December, Oakland traded catcher Sean Murphy to the Atlanta Braves for multiple players, including right-handed pitchers Royber Salinas and Freddy Tarnok, catcher Manny Piña, and left-handed pitcher Kyle Muller from the Braves. Muller was Atlanta’s number one prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. Only appearing in eight games with the Braves over the past two seasons, Muller primarily worked out of the team’s AAA club, the Gwinnett Stripers. There, he posted a strong 2022 outing, starting 23 games with an ERA of 3.41.

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