San Diego Padres RHP Mason Miller is turning heads with his performance this season. There is talk that he could be the best pitcher in fantasy baseball this season.
Miller’s Dominant Run Prevention
Miller’s run prevention has been exceptional. Having permitted nary an earned run over his past 29⅔ innings (dating back to last August), he isn’t merely shining in run prevention.
He has faced 27 hitters this season, permitting only a Luis Arraez single and a Spencer Torkelson walk. Miller has fanned 20 out of those 27 hitters, equating to 74.1%.
No other relief pitcher has whiffed more than 45%.
Historical Comparisons for Relief Pitchers
There is no precedent this century for a relief pitcher finishing ahead of every starting pitcher in fantasy points or roto/categories formats. Baltimore Orioles LHP Zack Britton posted a 0.54 ERA and 47 saves in 2016, but he finished second among relievers to Kenley Jansen and ninth among pitchers. Seattle Mariners RHP Edwin Diaz was the No. 5 pitcher in 2018 when he saved 57 wins with a 1.96 ERA. Mariano Rivera never finished first among pitchers in fantasy. Eric Gagne, even as he won the NL Cy Young award in 2003, didn’t do it, either.
The Shifting Landscape of Baseball
Baseball has changed. In 2003, 44 pitchers reached 200 IP and five won 20 games. Last season, only three pitchers eclipsed 200 innings, and nobody won 20 games.
This drop in volume opens the door for a dominant reliever to slide into the top spot. If Miller remains spotless (or close to it) in the runs department over 60-or-so innings, that is a really big deal. If he continues to fan 70% of hitters, that is also a really big deal, as Miller is pacing toward 150-plus strikeouts. Only 43 pitchers fanned 150 last year.
Miller’s Place Among Top Pitchers
Analysts are discussing Miller as a legitimate contender to challenge top starters such as Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Paul Skenes for the NL Cy Young award. Only Los Angeles Angels RHP Jose Soriano ranks better on the Player Rater among pitchers and a mere five starters have more fantasy points.
There is a long way to go this season.