Mason Miller Spotlight

Mason Miller has had a historically dominant stretch to the 2026 MLB season. The San Diego Padres closing pitcher’s scoreless innings streak reached up to 34 ⅔ innings, the longest streak in team history before being broken on April 27th.

Miller started this season with 20 strikeouts in 27 batters faced during his first eight appearances, which is a 74.1 percent strikeout rate. This is the highest by a pitcher in his first eight appearances of a season since at least 1900. He struck out 27 of the first 41 batters he’s faced this season, or 65.9%. 

Miller’s scoreless streak recently ended, after giving up two runs in a 9-7 Padres win over the Cubs. After loading the bases on three singles, Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner got an RBI groundout off of Miller, and then Miller threw a wild pitch to bring in another run. Miller’s streak is seventh on the list of longest scoreless streaks among relievers since 1961, 6 ⅓ innings behind Orioles reliever Gregg Olsen’s 41 straight, which is the most ever. 

Miller’s performances have impressed a wide array of fans and media, but Miller himself has stayed focused on his craft, which was shown after he broke the Padres record for longest scoreless inning streak on April 25th.

“Big load off, for sure -- I think we can stop talking about it now. Just keep pitching, see how long we can go,” Miller said.

Some believe Miller could continue his success into a NL Cy Young award season, which is awarded to the best pitcher in the NL. The last reliever to win a Cy Young was Eric Gagne in 2003, who recorded 55 saves and 11 earned runs over 77 appearances.

“I believe that Mason Miller can win the Cy Young if he keeps this up because what he’s doing has just never been seen before, and if he’s able to have like, one earned run, or even ten earned runs all year, I think that’s insane, especially with a down year in NL pitching, I think it’s very possible Mason Miller could win the Cy Young,” NHS sophomore Kyle Duncan said.

Miller was drafted out of Gardner-Webb to the Oakland Athletics in the 3rd round of the 2021 MLB draft. Miller spent 2021-2023 rising through the A’s minor league affiliate teams, posting a 2.52 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 39.1 innings over the three years. Miller debuted for the A’s in 2023, putting up impressive feats such as a 2024 AL All-Star appearance before being traded to San Diego during the 2025 trade deadline.

“Yeah [Miller has been impressive], but not only this season, but last season, from August 5th [to April 27th], he hasn’t given up a single run,” NHS sophomore Blaise Mindenhall said.

Before Miller, relief pitcher Cla Meredith had the record for most consecutive scoreless innings in Padres history, with 33 ⅔ innings in 2006, while Randy Jones has the third most with 30 in 1975-76. 

“There’s a lot of great pitchers on [that list]. Passing Randy, getting to talk about him, and ultimately passing Cla, too -- it’s just reflecting back on Padres history. Now I’m a part of that. I think that’s pretty awesome,” Miller said.

His team, the Padres, have the third best record in the MLB, with a record of 19-9 as of April 28th. In April, the Padres had five different comebacks of at least four runs. They are the first team since the Los Angeles Angels in July of 2009 to accomplish this feat, and were one comeback away from tying the 1930 New York Giants who had six in a month.  

Miller’s run has broken records and helped the Padres to a successful start to the 2026 MLB season. Padres fans are sure to hope Miller continues his historic pace.