Kyle Douglas Muller (born October 7, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves. He was drafted by the Braves in the second round of the 2016 MLB draft, and made his MLB debut with them in 2021. He was traded to Athletics after the 2022 season.

Kyle Muller
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1997-10-07) October 7, 1997 (age 27)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Left
MLB debut
June 16, 2021, for the Atlanta Braves
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record4–11
Earned run average5.90
Strikeouts141
Teams

Amateur career

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Muller attended Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas in Dallas, Texas. He was a pitcher and outfielder. During his senior year he set the national record for strikeouts in a row with 24.[1] He was named the Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year after going 8–0 with a 0.46 earned run average (ERA) and 133 strikeouts as a pitcher and hit .396 with 15 home runs and 52 runs batted in (RBI).[2][3] Muller also played high school basketball.[citation needed]

Muller committed to the University of Texas at Austin to play college baseball for the Texas Longhorns.[4]

Professional career

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Atlanta Braves

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The Atlanta Braves selected Muller with the 44th pick of the 2016 MLB draft.[4] He signed with the Braves, receiving a $2.5 million signing bonus, to forgo his commitment to Texas.[5]

After signing, Muller was assigned to the GCL Braves, where he posted a 1-0 record with a 0.65 ERA in 27.2 innings pitched. In 2017, Muller pitched for the Danville Braves where he pitched to a 1-1 record and 4.15 ERA in 11 games started.[6] He began the 2018 season with the Rome Braves,[7] and was promoted to the Florida Fire Frogs on May 8.[8] He joined the Mississippi Braves on August 6.[9] In 25 starts between the three clubs, Muller went 11-3 with a 3.03 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP, while leading the league with 16 wild pitches.[10] Muller spent the entire 2019 season with Mississippi. He had a 7-6 record and a 3.14 ERA in 22 starts.

Muller did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[11] After the year, the Braves added Muller to their 40-man roster.[12][13]

On June 16, 2021, Muller was promoted to the major leagues for the first time after Tucker Davidson was placed on the injured list.[14] He made his MLB debut that day, pitching one inning and allowing two runs against the Boston Red Sox.[15] He made his first career start on June 21 against the New York Mets, allowing 1 run over 4 innings during the 4-2 loss.[16] On July 3, Muller was optioned back down to Triple-A Gwinnett.[17][18] In 2021 with the Braves he was 2-4 with a 4.17 ERA in nine games (8 starts).[19]

Oakland Athletics

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On December 12, 2022, the Oakland Athletics acquired Muller from the Braves in a three-team trade in which the Atlanta Braves acquired Sean Murphy, the Brewers acquired William Contreras, Joel Payamps, and Justin Yeager, and the Athletics also acquired Manny Piña, Esteury Ruiz, Freddy Tarnok, and Royber Salinas.[20] On March 24, 2023, Muller was named the Opening Day starter for Oakland.[21] He pitched five innings against the Los Angeles Angels, yielding four hits and one earned run while recording one walk and three strikeouts.[22] In 21 games (13 starts), he registered a 1–5 record and 7.60 ERA with 56 strikeouts across 77 innings pitched.

Muller made 18 appearances for Oakland in 2024, compiling a 4.22 ERA with 35 strikeouts over 42+23 innings pitched. On August 13, 2024, Muller was designated for assignment by the Athletics.[23] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Las Vegas Aviators the next day.[24] On September 11, the Athletics selected Muller's contract, adding him to their active roster.[25] On November 1, 2024, he was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Las Vegas, he elected free agency the following day.[26]

Personal life

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His older brother, Chris, is also a Major League Baseball pitcher.[27]

References

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  1. ^ Little, Greg (March 28, 2016). "Texas baseball signee Kyle Muller strikes out 24 in a row to break national record". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  2. ^ Zaleon, Avi (May 24, 2016). "Jesuit senior Kyler Muller named Texas Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  3. ^ "Kyle Muller wins Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year". USA Today. June 6, 2016. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  4. ^ a b Wixon, Matt (April 11, 2016). "Decisions, decisions; Jesuit's Muller faces choice between pitcher or hitter, UT or MLB". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  5. ^ "Jesuit P Kyle Muller, Braves agree $2.5 million deal". WFAA. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  6. ^ "Kyle Muller Stats, Highlights, Bio". MILB.com. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  7. ^ Mayo, Johnathan (April 5, 2018). "Where Braves' Top 30 prospects are starting season". MLB.com. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  8. ^ Wellham, David (May 24, 2018). "A look at Cristian Pache and four other key players at high-A Florida". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  9. ^ "LHP Kyle Muller Promoted to M-Braves, RHP Connor Johnstone to Florida". WLBT. August 6, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  10. ^ "Kyle Muller Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  11. ^ Adler, David (June 30, 2020). "2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled". MLB.com. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  12. ^ Burns, Gabriel (November 19, 2020). "Braves add LHP Kyle Muller to 40-man roster". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  13. ^ Bowman, Mark (November 20, 2020). "Braves add Muller to 40-man, claim Mayfield". MLB.com. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  14. ^ Burns, Gabriel (June 16, 2021). "Braves promote LHP prospect Kyle Muller". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  15. ^ "Arroyo's pinch slam sends surging Red Sox past Braves, 10-8". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 16, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  16. ^ "Searching for sticky stuff: MLB umps start checking pitchers". ESPN.com. Associated Press. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  17. ^ Burns, Gabriel (July 4, 2021). "Braves promote hot-hitting Orlando Arcia". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  18. ^ Burns, Gabriel (July 5, 2021). "Braves plan to see more of Orlando Arcia in left field". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  19. ^ "Kyle Muller Stats | Baseball-Reference.com".
  20. ^ Bowman, Mark (December 12, 2022). "Backstop swap: Contreras to Crew, Murphy to ATL in 3-way deal". MLB.com. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  21. ^ Dierberger, Tom (March 24, 2023). "A's name Muller as 2023 Opening Day starter vs. Angels". NBC Sports. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  22. ^ Wirth, Taylor (March 31, 2023). "Muller revels in meaningful Opening Day start vs. Angels". NBC Sports. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  23. ^ Becker, Jon (August 13, 2024). "A's designate last year's Opening Day starter for assignment". The Reporter. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  24. ^ "Athletics' Kyle Muller: Outrighted off 40-man roster". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  25. ^ "A's Designate Jack O'Loughlin For Assignment". baseballessential.com. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  26. ^ "Athletics Outright Kyle Muller, Tyler Nevin". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  27. ^ "How Oakland's surprising Opening Day starter reacted to the news". mlb.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
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