Miller headed to All-Star Game as lone Padres representative

LOS ANGELES -- Nearly a year after the Padres traded for Mason Miller, he’s an All-Star.

Major League Baseball unveiled its All-Star rosters on Saturday, with Miller named as the lone Padres representative. It’s obviously been an outstanding season for Miller, who owns a 0.78 ERA and is tied for the National League lead with 21 saves.

But … well … it’s sort of telling that Miller is the Padres’ lone All-Star. A year ago they had three representatives in their bullpen alone. This year, things have not gone according to plan, particularly on offense.

To date, San Diego’s most productive players have been role players, and no other obvious All-Star candidate emerged. Offensively, Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts and Jackson Merrill have struggled. Michael King has been the team’s best starter. But in a crowded group of starting pitchers in the NL, King didn’t stand much of a chance.

So, Miller it is -- the first time the Padres have sent only one representative to the Midsummer Classic since Kirby Yates in 2019.

Miller, of course, is as deserving an All-Star as there is in all of baseball. He’s been extraordinary this season, having punched out 66 of the 132 hitters he’s faced. He still hasn’t allowed an extra-base hit.

“It’s just been consistency, really,” Miller said. “There are times and stretches throughout the season where you throw the ball really well and times where you’re throwing it a little bit worse. But [I’m] just being able to compete when you don’t have your best stuff.”

Miller also reached the 2024 All-Star game with the A’s. But he’s taken his game to a new level since his arrival in San Diego. In what ways is he a different pitcher?

“Pitch usage is obviously a big one,” Miller said. “Zone percentage, count leverage. I think I’m just a little bit better than I was then. That’s kind of the natural course as you spend more time in this game.”

Mason Miller
Previous All-Star appearances: 1 (2024)
Something to know: In his first trip to the Midsummer Classic two years ago, Miller picked up the win for the American League, pitching a scoreless fifth inning.

The Padres, of course, dealt No. 2 MLB prospect Leo De Vries to acquire Miller at last year’s Trade Deadline, one of the biggest in-season blockbusters in recent memory. The price was steep. But Miller dominated immediately upon his arrival in San Diego.

He promptly began a scoreless streak that reached 34 2/3 innings, surpassing Cla Meredith’s franchise record earlier this season.

The Padres have a longstanding tradition of closers at the All-Star Game -- particularly in recent seasons. In the past 10 years alone, Robert Suarez, Josh Hader, Mark Melancon, Yates and Brad Hand all reached the Midsummer Classic.

Before then? Trevor Hoffman, Goose Gossage, Rollie Fingers, Mark Davis, Heath Bell and Huston Street.

Add Miller to the list.