Kyle Muller, the Atlanta Braves’ number four prospect in 2022, was one of the key elements traded to Oakland in the Sean Murphy transaction.
The big lefty was a second-round choice from Dallas, Texas, and showed a lot of promise in the Braves’ farm system with his imposing body and occasionally good stuff.
However, his continuous command issues severely hampered him in both Atlanta and Oakland. Muller will now seek to begin his career with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in Japan, according to MLB Trade Rumors.
Kyle Muller signs with NPB team as he tries to save his career in Japan
The 27-year-old lefty still has time to rediscover what made him Atlanta’s top prospect. Muller made 11 starts for the Braves over two seasons, with a 5.14 ERA and 4.05 FIP.
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Muller was given the opportunity to establish himself in the Major League rotation after joining the Oakland Athletics. Unfortunately, Muller wasn’t able to make much of that opportunity with the rebuilding Athletics. Muller made 13 starts in 2023, finishing with a 7.60 ERA. Oakland chose to transfer him to the bullpen for the rest of the season.
Muller’s command issues were ultimately addressed in 2024, when he pitched solely from the bullpen. He reduced his BB/9 from 5 to less than 2. However, he wasn’t missing many bats and had a 4.01 ERA last season.
Muller ran out of minor league options and was designated for assignment by Oakland in August of the season. Muller chose free agency over the waiver wire, and he has found a new home abroad. Finally, both teams are likely to wonder if they would make the same move now. Muller is a large guy with a powerful left-handed pitching arm, so he has the ability to perform and return to the Majors.
