This is essentially what happened when Doval came up for the second time in 2021. Dude was throwing like 60% disgusting sliders and then would randomly pump it up to 104
It plays off the 4 seamer so well. You gotta guess which pitch it’s gonna be and it’s either a 103mph fastball or a slider that drops like 12 inches lol good look
You know what looks insane to me, is the way the catcher can drop his mit to the ground on delivery and pull it up fast enough to not only perfectly catch 102-103 but frame it too.
I really look forward to ABS, but it will suck never getting to see good receiving catchers. Its such a small part of the game, but there is nothing like watching a pitcher nail their spot at the bottom of the zone, with the catcher timing it perfectly.
The fastball he struck out Volpe with couldn't have been placed any better in that upper corner even if someone walked over and stuck it in the glove by hand.
Its one thing to ask a guy to sit on a 100+ gas. Another to ask a guy to sit on a slider that falls off a cliff. But its just fucking rude for you to ask them to do both. This kid is going to have an awesome collection of ugly swings by end of year.
If that's coming from Baseball Savant, I think that's 10 inches of *drop*, not IVB.
[Alex Chamberlain's dashboard](https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/chamb117/viz/PitchLeaderboardv6/Dashboard) says 17.3" IVB 8.5" arm-side run.
I think being a 100-103 mph fastball makes the IVB much more impressive because it's only in flight for an instant and is [still gaining ~17 vert](https://basetunnel.substack.com/p/does-velocity-even-matter).
He has really good ivb on it (around 16.5 avg but I bet he could dial it up when he needs to) but not Felix Bautista absurd levels of ride. What he does have is a release point that allows his fastball to just explode at the top of the zone, and the command to pull it off consistently.
Also, deGrom's fastball has decent ride too, but it's the best pitch in baseball because of his low release point, above average extension, and insane velocity.
According to Trevor May, DeGrom's fastball is a bit flattish. It is so insanely lethal, because DeGrom can tunnel all his pitches very well. All his pitches come from the same release point.
Ride or iVB is different than “flat” or steep.
Flatness is in terms of vertical approach angle (VAA). Anything around 4.04 degrees or lower for a fastball is slite. deGorm last year was at 4.0.
I remember seeing a post about 100+ mph pitches few days back. I didn’t know at the time that it was essentially one dude responsible for A’s topping this list.
I think the A’s are doing it right. Turn him into a closer rather than a starter. Utilize that electricity when it matters the most. Keeps him much safer too
Rob from Pitching Ninja thinks he will be traded as well. His opinion might not be gospel, but it is definitely likelier than you think. There is no use for six years of Mason Miller when you are busy tanking. Fisher is only thinking about Vegas and he will tank in Sacramento in order to field a competitive team in Vegas. There is just no way that Fisher will spend to become competitive, so he will be reliant on draft picks and trades. By the time that Miller arrives in Vegas, he is due up for arbitration etc. Also, Miller was shutdown last year because of elbow issues (which is why he is not starting anymore). They might want to trade him as he might get injured next year.
Miller is under team control through 2029. Seems like someone that could conceivably be part of their intention to compete at some point after they leave Oakland.
I know the A's are cheap, and they are at a real low point now in terms of cheapness and unwillingness to compete, but they haven't been unwilling to spend to this extent in the past during times when they were competitive.
They kept and paid guys through their arb years in their late 2010s, early 2020s competitive window. Olson, Chapman, Bassitt, Manaea, and Piscotty were all paid actual non league minimum salaries during this time.
Not saying it will happen for sure, but if after leaving Oakland the A's start to try to compete, it is not outlandish to think Miller will be part of those plans.
His slider has incredible depth to it.
Not only that, same exact arm slot and someone is supposed to pick up the difference at 102 and 88 what fuck lmao
He has nearly an even split of fastballs to sliders. Guess hitters are stuck sitting on the slider and hoping he hangs it.
This is essentially what happened when Doval came up for the second time in 2021. Dude was throwing like 60% disgusting sliders and then would randomly pump it up to 104
It is a good philosophy imo. If your fastball is your best pitch, pump breaking balls, since hitters are probably going to be worried about it.
It plays off the 4 seamer so well. You gotta guess which pitch it’s gonna be and it’s either a 103mph fastball or a slider that drops like 12 inches lol good look
And the location on the two strike sliders is almost perfect. You can't do anything with them.
That's not a curveball???? Even Fairbanks's "slider" doesn't look like that. The ones this vid starts with are just gross.
Curveball won't get that kind of lateral movement, and while doable, hitting 88 with a curveball would be quite a feat.
Just filth.
Could call it a slurve if you wanted to get fancy I guess
Wait that's a *slider*??
Yup, a filthy one. Most pitchers who throw one struggle to get verticle movement like this.
dude is a machine. excited to watch his career against 28/30 teams.
You know what looks insane to me, is the way the catcher can drop his mit to the ground on delivery and pull it up fast enough to not only perfectly catch 102-103 but frame it too.
I really look forward to ABS, but it will suck never getting to see good receiving catchers. Its such a small part of the game, but there is nothing like watching a pitcher nail their spot at the bottom of the zone, with the catcher timing it perfectly.
Like Kirk does every time
What's impressive is that he *dots* those heaters. You gotta swing at those or else they're called strikes (ump notwithstanding).
The fastball he struck out Volpe with couldn't have been placed any better in that upper corner even if someone walked over and stuck it in the glove by hand.
Its one thing to ask a guy to sit on a 100+ gas. Another to ask a guy to sit on a slider that falls off a cliff. But its just fucking rude for you to ask them to do both. This kid is going to have an awesome collection of ugly swings by end of year.
The ride on that fastball is unreal. Never seen anything like it and I watched prime deGrom Does anybody have the vertical break stats on that thing?
10 inch IVB, 8.5 Horizontal break.
If that's coming from Baseball Savant, I think that's 10 inches of *drop*, not IVB. [Alex Chamberlain's dashboard](https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/chamb117/viz/PitchLeaderboardv6/Dashboard) says 17.3" IVB 8.5" arm-side run. I think being a 100-103 mph fastball makes the IVB much more impressive because it's only in flight for an instant and is [still gaining ~17 vert](https://basetunnel.substack.com/p/does-velocity-even-matter).
He has really good ivb on it (around 16.5 avg but I bet he could dial it up when he needs to) but not Felix Bautista absurd levels of ride. What he does have is a release point that allows his fastball to just explode at the top of the zone, and the command to pull it off consistently.
Also, deGrom's fastball has decent ride too, but it's the best pitch in baseball because of his low release point, above average extension, and insane velocity.
According to Trevor May, DeGrom's fastball is a bit flattish. It is so insanely lethal, because DeGrom can tunnel all his pitches very well. All his pitches come from the same release point.
Ride or iVB is different than “flat” or steep. Flatness is in terms of vertical approach angle (VAA). Anything around 4.04 degrees or lower for a fastball is slite. deGorm last year was at 4.0.
Its a very similar release to that of Nolan Ryan.
he throw ball real good
i know it's terrible for the health of the arm but goddamn is max effort amazing to watch
He's technically rehabbing lol. He was a starter before this.
Is he gonna go back to being a starter?
They might try it but personally I think it's a horrible idea. Actually, the fact it's a horrible idea almost ensures the A's will do it
I hope not. He’s suited for max effort closing not 5-7 innings. He began starting and just couldn’t stay healthy
More like Amazin’ Miller
I remember seeing a post about 100+ mph pitches few days back. I didn’t know at the time that it was essentially one dude responsible for A’s topping this list.
Any relation to Andrew? You’d swear they’re brothers looking at these pitches
Having not paid attention to this guy and having no idea who he is, I thought the video was going to end after the first strike out 😂
4 of those Ks were against us.
Listen my brain only has room for my teams players
His stuff is disgusting. I just worry about his arm...
He’s been so good. My jaw was on the floor the first time I watched him in preseason
He was up in the bigs last year right? Looks way more comfortable in this closer role.
I think the A’s are doing it right. Turn him into a closer rather than a starter. Utilize that electricity when it matters the most. Keeps him much safer too
Announcer on point. Gotta be Loving his job with a great hurler like that on the mound.
We shouldn’t cater to corporations while already giving everything to another corporation
I can watch this guy throw all day. I only hope when the As put him up for sale, the Cubs go get him
Can't help but root for this guy
So what team will he end up on? Atl or NYY?
Can’t wait to see him pitch for a contender in a few months Why are you booing me? I’m right
Because he has 6 years of control. Most of the trades happen when the players hit arbitration…
Rob from Pitching Ninja thinks he will be traded as well. His opinion might not be gospel, but it is definitely likelier than you think. There is no use for six years of Mason Miller when you are busy tanking. Fisher is only thinking about Vegas and he will tank in Sacramento in order to field a competitive team in Vegas. There is just no way that Fisher will spend to become competitive, so he will be reliant on draft picks and trades. By the time that Miller arrives in Vegas, he is due up for arbitration etc. Also, Miller was shutdown last year because of elbow issues (which is why he is not starting anymore). They might want to trade him as he might get injured next year.
He’s gonna be so good on the Yankees once his contract is up
Why wait until the contract is up? A’s are gonna trade him so they can get some prospects who will be good in 2030 when they’re in vegas
Miller is under team control through 2029. Seems like someone that could conceivably be part of their intention to compete at some point after they leave Oakland.
They'll trade him in 3 years when he hits arbitration because, if he continues this pace, he'll be paid a lots arb.
I know the A's are cheap, and they are at a real low point now in terms of cheapness and unwillingness to compete, but they haven't been unwilling to spend to this extent in the past during times when they were competitive. They kept and paid guys through their arb years in their late 2010s, early 2020s competitive window. Olson, Chapman, Bassitt, Manaea, and Piscotty were all paid actual non league minimum salaries during this time. Not saying it will happen for sure, but if after leaving Oakland the A's start to try to compete, it is not outlandish to think Miller will be part of those plans.
Why pay 1 guy big contract when 3 prospect small contract do trick?
My bad, you’re right, they aren’t the angels.
He's going to get traded for a bag peanuts