Mason Miller’s 2024 All-Star selection didn’t come as a surprise to many. Not after watching him make opposing batters sit down at the tail end of a game.
He’ll head to Arlington, Tex. and walk the red carpet before sporting the American League garb worn by only the best in Major League Baseball.
While ESPN will broadcast the Home Run Derby with the talents of Karl Ravech, Eduardo Pérez and Todd Frazier, the three had special things to say about the 25-year-old who will be the Oakland A’s representative.
When asked what they’ve have seen from Miller this season, the reaction
“A lot more than the hitters have seen,” Pérez laughed during a media availability Tuesday. “You know, I think the important thing with Mason Miller is that he’s healthy right? That’s the most important thing. We knew that he could throw hard, we knew that the slider has always been there, but him being available, I think that’s the most important thing. I think for the Athletics he’s been dominant. He’s been dominant because he’s been believing that — number one. And as a hitter, you can’t not pull up for anything else but that and then when he spins it. You’re in trouble.”
“It’s what every player works for,” Miller told the media Sunday after being told the news. “To have the success I’ve had in a new role this year and to represent our guys, it’s really an honor.”
The transition from starter to closer is a story told repeatedly, but that’s just a fraction of what Miller’s dealt with during his young career.
Miller suffered a UCL sprain in his right elbow earlier during the 2023 season, forcing him to be sidelined for four months. The new role out of the bullpen was one he embraced quickly.
The first-time All-Star was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 20 and has been doing everything he can to show the world not only is he a real person, but there is life after hearing such news.
“It feels like a lifetime ago,” Miller said. “Taking the moments like this to reflect on where I’ve been and all the steps along the journey, it’s really surreal. It feels great to just look at the work I’ve done. To sit here and have that recognition now, it’s awesome.”
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With the adversity, he maintained that his grounded mentality balances out the dominance he shows on the mound.
He leads MLB rookies with 14 saves and was MLB’s Reliever of the Month for March/April after recording eight saves, 28 strikeouts, four walks, seven hits allowed, and a .149 opponent batting average.
He currently boasts a 2.39 ERA with 66 strikeouts in 37 2/3 innings.
“To me, he’s sort of everything that pitchers are in 2024,” Ravech said. “They try to throw as hard as they possibly can accurately and throw with as much spin as they possibly can — and then the question is how long can he stay healthy? He’s a valuable commodity for a lot of these teams that are in this playoff race …
“But he is the Paul Skenes, just at the backend. He throws it harder than most and he gets most of the guys out when he’s on.”
Frazier’s seen his fair of dominant pitching across his 11-year career and earned two All-Star selections of his own. He appreciates what Miller has done as someone who’s played behind pitchers of that caliber before.
“The absolute bulldog is the guy that you know when they come in that night, it’s pretty much game over,” Frazier said. “And as a defender, if you’re up one or two runs — game is over. He’s gotta be one of the biggest surprises — I don’t remember a guy just coming in and mowing guys down like this and throwing as hard as he can so kudos to him and his work ethic.”
About Jessica Kleinschmidt
Jess is a baseball fan with Reno, Nev. roots residing in the Bay Area. She is the host of "Short and to the Point" and is also a broadcaster with the Oakland A's Radio Network. She previously worked for MLB.com and NBC Sports Bay Area.