The Oakland Athletics may not be true contenders, however they’ve been awfully entertaining this 12 months.
They’re 15-17, very near taking part in .500 ball.
Sure, their future just isn’t in Oakland and maybe followers are extra targeted on that than on the precise efficiency of the 2024 staff, however they do have some actually good gamers.
Tyler Nevin (4 residence runs, .875 OPS) is among the many hottest gamers in baseball for the time being, Paul Blackburn has been a stable starter, and among the relievers (like Lucas Erceg, for instance) are blossoming.
There may not be a extra thrilling and persistently dominant participant on the A’s roster than nearer Mason Miller, although.
Miller is a present of his personal, touching 103 mph together with his blazing fastballs and fooling hitters left and proper.
He was simply named the American League Reliever of the Month for his performances in March/April, and it’s exhausting to consider somebody extra deserving.
“Mason Miller (OAK): 11 G, 1.35 ERA, 8 SV, 18.9 Okay/9. Ryan Helsley (STL): 16 G, 1.69 ERA, 10 SV, 10.7 Okay/9. Your AL and NL Relievers of the Month for March/April!” MLB tweeted.
Mason Miller (OAK): 11 G, 1.35 ERA, 8 SV, 18.9 Okay/9Ryan Helsley (STL): 16 G, 1.69 ERA, 10 SV, 10.7 Okay/9
Your AL and NL Relievers of the Month for March/April! pic.twitter.com/DQkFzQuZB8
Probably the most spectacular quantity about his line is certainly the 18.9 Okay/9.
Okay/9 means strikeouts per 9 innings, so Miller, for each 27 outs, will get nearly 19 through the strikeout.
That’s absurd, and really exhausting to take care of over the course of an extended season.
Nonetheless, he’s no fluke: he’s very prone to finish the 12 months with at the very least a 15 Okay/9 mark if he stays wholesome.
That final half may not be simple to return by given the rate at which he throws the ball, however let’s hope we are able to all take pleasure in Miller for so long as he pitches.
Opposing hitters don’t discover him enjoyable to face, although.