Key facts
- 0.96 ERA, 102 strikeouts in 56.1 innings across 54 outings
- 32 saves on 33 conversion attempts
- 3.1 bWAR, 421 ERA+, 0.87 WHIP
- Described by Jim Bowden as ‘the most dominant reliever in baseball’
- Competing closers: Jhoan Duran (Philadelphia, 1.71 ERA, 28 saves on 30 attempts) and Riley O’Brien (most saves in NL)
The Prediction
Jim Bowden of The Athletic is predicting that Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres will win the National League Relief Pitcher of the Year Award. Bowden calls Miller “the most dominant reliever in baseball.”
Miller’s Season Statistics
Miller has compiled a 0.96 ERA while converting 32 of 33 save opportunities, with 102 strikeouts in 56.1 innings pitched across 54 appearances. He carries a 421 ERA+, a 0.87 WHIP, and has accumulated 3.1 bWAR on the season. He throws a 100-plus mph fastball, a slider described as “nearly unhittable,” and a changeup.
The Competition
Jhoan Duran of the Philadelphia Phillies is cited as the closest competitor, with 28 saves on 30 attempts, a 1.71 ERA, and recognition as one of baseball’s best closers. Riley O’Brien leads the National League in total saves. Neither, according to Bowden’s analysis, comes close to Miller’s dominance and statistical performance.
The Case
Bowden states that no other reliever in the National League deserves the Relief Pitcher of the Year award, and that Miller’s combination of elite ERA, strikeouts, and save conversion rate makes him the only realistic contender. A “monumental collapse” from Miller and a “perfect September” from Duran would be required for Miller to lose the award.
Sources
Featured photo: False casey via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)