Padres and Team USA closer Mason Miller needs 'domination and luck' to accomplish historic MLB feat

With a blistering fastball and wicked slider, San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller is one of the more unhittable pitchers in baseball. 

Last night, Miller recorded the save in Team USA's 2-1 victory in the World Baseball Classic semifinals against the Dominican Republic, striking out Geraldo Perdomo to strand the tying run on third base. 

Hitters always seem to have their most uncomfortable at-bats against Miller, a 6-foot-5 right-hander who was traded from the Athletics to the Padres at last year's deadline. In 22 apperances with the Padres, the 27-year-old posted an absurd 0.77 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 23.1 innings. 

What does he have in store for 2026? ESPN's David Schoenfield sheds light on whether he believes Miller can make MLB history. 

Miller needs 'domination and luck' to set MLB record 

There has never been a reliever who held opponents to a sub-.100 batting average with 50 or more innings thrown in a season. If there's anyone capable of doing it, it's Miller. 

However, Schoenfield believes Miller would need a great amount of luck to accomplish the feat, despite his strikeout numbers. Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman held opponents to a .132 batting average last season. 

"As for a sub-.100 average? Given that Miller averaged 15.2 strikeouts per nine innings, he's not allowing many balls in play, that's for sure," Schoenfield wrote. "I'm taking the over, since a sub-.100 average will require a mix of domination and luck on balls in play, but this will be one to monitor." 

Reports signaled that the Padres considered transitioning Miller to a starting pitcher, but he's best suited to get the final three outs of a game. 

More MLB news:

• MLB Hot Stove tracker: Live updates on news, rumors, signings and trades for 2025 free agency
• Yankees' Jazz Chisholm reveals his 9-figure contract asking price
• Twins get devastating injury news on Pablo Lopez
• Cubs' Alex Bregman makes assertive no-trade clause Red Sox statement
• Mets fans should be concerned with Bo Bichette after fielding struggles go viral
• Giants get great news on top prospect Carson Whisenhunt with huge velocity increase
• Phillies' Jhoan Duran teases new pitch, but won't reveal what it is