Elephant Rumblings: Mason Miller finishes 4th in ROTY voting

MLB news roundup

Happy Tuesday A’s fans! Time to rise and shine everyone.

We are in award season for base Al all. So far we’ve seen Designated Hitter Brent Rooker take the Silver Slugger for the American League, and it was well deserved. Primary catcher Shea Langeliers was nominated for the SS behind the plate but ultimately lost out on that award. Hey, 50% ain’t too bad.

Next we moved on to the Comeback Players of the Year award. While Athletics ran out a young team they didn’t have many candidates for the award, but if Miguel Andujar had played in more than 75 games he could have been a candidate after playing only 66 the previous two years combined. Alas, that award went to Chicago White Sox budding ace Garrett Crochet, as well deserved as the young gun looks primed to be an ace for years to come. Probably won’t be coming with his current team considering their rebuilding efforts, but it’s a well-deserved honor for the left-hander who just finished his first full season as a starting pitcher. He’a going to be a name we hear a lot in trade rumors this off-season.

Yesterday we got to finally find out who won the American Legue Rookie of the Year award, and the Athletics had a legitimate candidate for the award. It was not meant to be this year though as the A’s All-Star closer lost out on the award to Yankees starting pitcher Luis Gil, coming in fourth place with a grand total of one first-place vote:

Considering the path that Miller has taken in recent years it’s a well-deserved honor for the 26-year-old right-hander. Coming up as a starting pitcher injuries forced the club to make Miller a reliever with the hopes of keeping the top prospect healthy. Miller’s 100+ MPH heater was always going to play in the big leagues but getting him into games was the problem after he dealt with elbow problems last year.

Well it’s safe to say that the move to a relief role worked just how rhe club intended. Right from the start of the season Miller looked dominant in his new role, mowing down batters while introducing himself to the major leagues. The Athletics’ top prospect adapted well to his role, Outside of a bad first outing Miller was unhittable early on, racking up 8 saves in the first month of the season. Ultimately the rookie would end the year 28/31 in save opportunities as the club’s new closer shut down teams and more or less guaranteed a win of the club was leading after 8 frames.

Miller finished with a 2.49 ERA in his first full season as a major leaguer, pitching in 51 games and showing the team that yes, Miller can hold up for a whole season. Granted, it was as a reliever but baby steps, right? The A’s top prospect successfully graduated to the majors, finishing second in AL ROTY voting and earning a place on All-MLB’ Second Team. Now the question is what does the club do with Miller entering next year. Does the team want to try converting him back into a starting pitcher? Or do they not want to mess with a good thing? Either way, Miller is now known across the base world and he’s all ours, A’s fans! Who else is excited to see him on the mound again?

A’s Coverage:

• All-Star A’s closer Mason Miller finishes 4th in AL Rookie of the Year voting
• Athletics’ 2024 Season In Review: Ryan Noda
• Oakland Ballers announce final two candidates for fam board member
• Former A’s starting pitcher Sean Manaea rejects QO from Mets, officially a free agent
• Former Athletics minor leaguer signs deal with Yankees
• From MLB player to Giants’ manager: Bob Melvin ‘79

MLB News & Interest:

• Ichiro, Sabathia among first-timers eligible for HOF
• Starting pitcher Nick Martinez accepts Reds’ $21MM qualifying offer
• Astros, Blue Jays, Braves, Red Sox interested in Willy Adames
• Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes wins NL ROTY 498 days after being drafted
• Yankees starter Luis Gil takes ROTY honors in American League
• Astros’ ballpark to be renamed Daikin Park through 2039
• Dodgers to meet with Juan Soto, agent Scott Boras on Tuesday
• Giants tap former outfielder Randy Winn to lead player development
• Ted Williams’ 1946 MVP sells for $528,750 at auction
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Of course Dallas loves the starting pitches taking the awards:

Looks worse than we thought…

ICYMI: