Jul 9, 2024 4 min read

Mason Miller will represent the Oakland A’s during the MLB All-Star Game to be played July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The Midsummer Classic airs on Fox at 8 p.m.

“It’s exciting,” said Miller immediately after manager Mark Kotsay made the announcement during a team meeting inside the A’s clubhouse. “Through the highs and lows we go through, it’s super exciting to represent all you guys.

“This is what every player works for,” he added. “I appreciate it. It’s really an honor.”

Mason Miller’s All-Star Moment ???? pic.twitter.com/KKDqbHBmzS

— Oakland A’s (@Athletics) July 7, 2024

Before becoming a flame-throwing closer, the rookie reliever encountered many trials, including being diagnosed with Type 1 juvenile diabetes in 2018 and suffering a UCL sprain in his right elbow last season.

After helping Bethel Park win a section title as the ace on the 2016 squad, Miller enrolled at Waynesburg University. In two seasons, his ERA swelled to seven and he struggled with control of his pitches, walking many, as well as with his weight. The 6-foot-5 right-handed pitcher tipped the scales at only 155 pounds.

During the summer heading into his junior year, Miller was set to intern in the financial department for Allegheny Health Network. After a routine drug test, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Because his blood sugar levels hovered around 700 mg/dL (the normal range is between 80-120), he was hospitalized.

Because there is no cure for diabetes, Miller was equipped with an insulin pump and armed with alterations to his diet and lifestyle. The adjustments improved Miller’s pitching stats and restored his professional prospects.

“(Diabetes) was a blessing in disguise,” Miller had said. “I’m grateful it happened because that was when everything clicked.”

In the spring of 2019, his junior season at Waynesburg, Miller compiled an 8-2 record in 11 starts. He owned a 1.86 ERA, which is a single-season school record. Miller also struck out 97 batters in 67 2/3 innings. He led the President’s Athletic Conference in ERA, strikeouts, strikeouts looking, opponent batting average, complete games and shutouts.

Miller was named PAC Pitcher of the Week twice, a first-team All-PAC performer and gathered All-Region awards from both D3baseball.com and the American Baseball Coaches Association.

Before it was cut short because of the coronavirus pandemic, his 2020 season was off to a similar start. In two outings, Miller went 2-0 over two complete games, 14 innings, with a 2.57 ERA, 24 strikeouts and a .160 opponent batting average. He was named PAC Pitcher of the Week during the first week of the season.

While Miller graduated from Waynesburg with a degree in finance and a 3.9 GPA, the NCAA granted student-athletes an extra year of eligibility. So Miller enrolled at Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina. Miller posted an 8-1 record and forged a 3.30 ERA for the Bulldogs. Miller led the Big South Conference and ranked 21st in the nation with 121 strikeouts.

After garnering multiple postseason honors, Miller was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the third round of the MLB amateur draft in 2021. He was the 97th pick.

After an impressive showing during spring training and coming off being named Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week, he made his MLB debut on April 19, 2023. In 4 1/3 innings, Miller struck out five, including the side in the first frame. He scattered four hits and allowed two earned runs. Of his 81 pitches, 51 were strikes and 16 were clocked at 100 mph or faster.

Miller went on to play in 10 more games, posting an 0-3 record with a 3.78 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 33.1 innings before being sidelined for four months with the arm injury.

This spring, he roared back. He leads all rookies with 14 saves while leading all MLB relievers with 66 strikeouts. He owns a 2.39 ERA. His fastball has been clocked at 100 mph or harder 278 times this season. His top speed has been 103.7.

Those numbers are what earned Miller a spot in MLB’s showcase of stars and his hometown is thrilled for him.

“This is very exciting and well-deserved for Mason,” said Bethel Park High School baseball manager Patrick Zehnder. “He continues to excel on the field and carries himself so well off the field, too. He deserves success. So it is great to see.”