Chris Muller (baseball)

Christopher Robert Muller (born April 22, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He is currently a phantom ballplayer, having spent three days on Tampa Bay's active roster without appearing in a big-league game.

Chris Muller
Tampa Bay Rays – No. 65
Pitcher
Born: (1996-04-22) April 22, 1996
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Amateur career

Muller played college baseball at Paris Junior College in Paris, Texas, and at the University of Texas at San Antonio.[1][2]

Professional career

Muller was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 17th round, with the 499th overall selection, of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.[3] He signed with the Rays on June 19, 2019.[4] He made his professional debut in 2018, splitting time between the rookie-level Gulf Coast Rays and Low-A Hudson Valley Renegades. In 14 games, he posted a 2.28 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 23.2 innings pitched.[5] In 2019, he pitched in 31 games for the Single-A Bowling Green Hot Rods, logging a 2–5 record and 2.88 ERA with 87 strikeouts and 4 saves in 56.1 innings pitched.[6]

Miller did not play in a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[7] He instead played for the Sugar Land Lightning Sloths of the Constellation Energy League, where he logged a 5.63 ERA with 9 strikeouts and 2 saves in 7 appearances.[8] He spent the 2021 season split between Bowling Green and the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits. In 21 combined appearances, he registered a 4.98 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 7 saves in 21.2 innings pitched.[9]

He spent the 2022 season with the Triple-A Durham Bulls, making 51 appearances and registering a 5–3 record and 4.91 ERA with 75 strikeouts and 2 saves in 58.2 innings pitched.[10] Muller was assigned to Triple-A Durham to begin the 2023 season, where he made 14 appearances and posted a 3.71 ERA with 19 strikeouts and 1 save in 17.0 innings pitched.[11]

Following an injury to Drew Rasmussen, on May 12, 2023, Muller was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[12] Muller did not make an appearance for the Rays and was optioned to Triple-A on May 15 when Pete Fairbanks was activated off of the injured list, making him a phantom ballplayer.[13]

Personal life

His younger brother, Kyle, is also a Major League Baseball pitcher, who currently plays for the Oakland Athletics.[14]

References
  1. "Chris Muller - 2017 - Baseball". goutsa.com. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  2. "Four PJC baseball players have fall signing". Paris Junior College. January 17, 2017. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  3. "MLB Draft 2017: Tampa Bay Rays draft tracker and signing board". draysbay.com. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  4. "Chris Muller '14 Drafted by Tampa Bay, Signs Professional Contract with Rays". jesuitrangers.org. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  5. "Chris Muller College, Minor, Winter & Independent League Statistics". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  6. "Chris Muller Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  7. "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  8. "New Sugar Land Skeeters league includes "Lightning Sloths"". news.sports logos.net. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  9. "Former UTSA pitcher shows major transformation while chasing Big League dream". foxsanantonio.com. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  10. "Chris Muller Stats, Fantasy & News". milb.com. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  11. "Rays select Chris Muller". yardbarker.com. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  12. "Rays' Chris Muller: Added to roster". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  13. "Rays' Chris Muller: Sent back to Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  14. "How Oakland's surprising Opening Day starter reacted to the news". mlb.com. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
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