Team USA already has a powerhouse pitching staff that will shut down hitters in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, but just in case pitchers like Detroit Tigers starter Tarik Skubal and San Francisco pitcher Logan Webb need some help, they’ll have some power arms in the bullpen, with reliever Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres being the latest to sign on for the March event.
Obviously it’s a no brainer for me,” Miller said in a video interview on MLB.com. “It’s something I’m super excited to do, to represent the country play in a super cool event that fans get excited about.”
Miller posted a 2.63 ERA in 60 relief appearances this year for the Padres, and he was the only pitcher in the Majors to break the 104 mph mark with a pitch. He’ll join reliever David Bednar of the New York Yankees to anchor the bullpen, and Miller indicated that’s where he’ll be staying this year, despite rumors that he might be switching over to become a starter. In the end, Miller's decision boiled down to the old adage: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
“I think I’ve been having a lot of success doing what I’ve been doing,” Miller explained, “and the reason we ended up making the switch a couple of years ago was for health reasons. Aside from one blip in 2024, I’ve been having a lot of success in the late innings doing the high leverage role.
“It kind of doesn’t make any sense for me to go away from that role right now, and I feel really good about where the bullpen is, one of that group being one of the best in the league.”
But the WBC and Miller’s role going forward aren’t the only things MIller’s got going on. He’s been adding to his arsenal, which isn’t good news for the hitters who’ll be facing him at all.
Guys started figuring out my plan of attack and things kind of shifted as they do,” Miller said in explaining his process. “And I had to adjust back to the adjustments hitters were making. My slider’s a great pitch as well, so I’m just figuring out how I can couple those.”
Miller’s fastball should be more than enough to succeed in the WBC, though, and Padres fans can look forward to seeing how his high heat plays against international competition when this exciting event premieres in early March.