4 Oakland Athletics' prospects to watch in 2024
By Tim Smart
Mason Miller is done after two innings (came in with a pitch count around 50) but was dominant across those two innings.
— Uprooted (@uprootedoakland) September 12, 2023
His final line: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 45 pitches (28 strikes)#Athletics #RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/tuR7BsErxo
The Athletics top prospect is Mason Miller, and you only have to watch him pitch for a few minutes to see why. Miller has elite fastball velocity, ramping the four-seamer up into the triple digits with frequency and adding two strong breaking pitches into the mix as well.
Miller is going to be a vital part of the 2024 team in Oakland. He's set to pitch out of the bullpen after GM David Forst came out and said they want to limit his innings in order to preserve his health.
Miller should step immediately into a high-leverage role in the pen, considering the retirement of Trevor May and lack of qualified back-end bullpen guys. Recent free agent addition Trevor Gott is one of the few relievers in Oakland's bullpen with late-inning experience, but Miller has significantly better stuff and more upside.
Whether that means closing games or pitching in the biggest spots as a multi-inning reliever, Miller should fit well in the role. He was extremely effective in short bursts last year, and if keeping his pitch counts down is the best way to keep him on the field then it's probably worth sacrificing him as a starter.
Miller has an opportunity to become one of the more dominant relief pitchers in the league with his repertoire and we're extremely excited to see what he brings to the table in 2024.