| Kyle Muller | |
|---|---|
| Chunichi Dragons – No. 93 | |
| 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 record | 4–11 |
| Earned run average | 5.90 |
| Strikeouts | 141 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Kyle Douglas Muller (born October 7, 1997) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theChunichi Dragons ofNippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theAtlanta Braves andOakland Athletics.
He was drafted by the Braves in the second round of the2016 MLB draft, and made his MLB debut with them in 2021. He was traded to Athletics after the 2022 season where he played for two seasons before being designated for assignment in 2024 and declaring free agency.
Muller attendedJesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas inDallas, Texas. He was apitcher andoutfielder. During his senior year he set the national record for strikeouts in a row with 24.[1] He was named theGatorade Baseball Player of the Year after going 8–0 with a 0.46earned run average (ERA) and 133strikeouts as a pitcher and hit .396 with 15home runs and 52runs batted in (RBI).[2][3] Muller also played high school basketball.[citation needed]
Muller committed to theUniversity of Texas at Austin to playcollege baseball for theTexas Longhorns.[4]
TheAtlanta Braves selected Muller with the 44th pick of the2016 MLB draft.[4] He signed with the Braves, receiving a $2.5 millionsigning bonus, to forgo his commitment to Texas.[5]
After signing, Muller was assigned to theGCL Braves, where he posted a 1-0 record with a 0.65 ERA in27+2⁄3innings pitched. In 2017, Muller pitched for theDanville Braves where he pitched to a 1-1 record and 4.15 ERA in 11 games started.[6] He began the 2018 season with theRome Braves,[7] and was promoted to theFlorida Fire Frogs on May 8.[8] He joined theMississippi 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 theCOVID-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 afterTucker Davidson was placed on the injured list.[14] He made his MLB debut that day, pitching one inning and allowing two runs against theBoston Red Sox.[15] He made his first career start on June 21 against theNew York Mets, allowing 1 run over 4 innings during the 4-2 loss.[16] On July 3, Muller was optioned back down to Triple-AGwinnett.[17][18] In 2021 with the Braves he was 2-4 with a 4.17 ERA in nine games (8 starts).[19]
On December 12, 2022, theOakland Athletics acquired Muller from the Braves in a three-team trade in which theAtlanta Braves acquiredSean Murphy, the Brewers acquiredWilliam Contreras,Joel Payamps, andJustin Yeager, and the Athletics also acquiredManny Piña,Esteury Ruiz,Freddy Tarnok, andRoyber Salinas.[20] On March 24, 2023, Muller was named the Opening Day starter for Oakland.[21] He pitched five innings against theLos 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 over42+2⁄3 innings pitched. On August 13, 2024, Muller wasdesignated for assignment by the Athletics.[23] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–ALas 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]
On December 15, 2024, Muller signed with theChunichi Dragons ofNippon Professional Baseball.[27]
His older brother,Chris, is also aMajor League Baseball pitcher.[28]