Let’s talk about Kyle Muller, the former top Braves prospect. He’s a big lefty with even bigger potential, who’s now looking to write his next chapter in Japan. If you’ve followed this guy’s career at all, you know it’s been a rollercoaster of promise, frustration, and more twists than a knuckleball.
Flashback to 2022: Muller was the Atlanta Braves’ number four prospect. That’s a pretty sweet spot for a guy drafted in the second round out of Dallas, Texas. At 6-foot-7, he was the kind of imposing presence on the mound that excited scouts and fans.
Plus, he had flashes of serious stuff — occasionally elite stuff, even. You’d watch him and think, “Man, if this guy can figure out the command issues, we’re looking at a future ace or at least a solid rotation guy.”
But here’s the thing with command struggles: they’re like a leaky faucet you just can’t fix. In Atlanta, Muller’s stuff was electric, but his control? Not so much. The Braves gave him a shot — 11 starts over two seasons — but his 5.14 ERA and 4.05 FIP just weren’t enough to stick around. That leaky faucet kept dripping.
Enter the Oakland A’s and the Sean Murphy deal. Muller was one of the key pieces heading to Oakland, a team that was deep in rebuilding mode. If there was ever a place for a guy to settle in and get regular starts without pressure, it was with the A’s.
But, man, 2023 was rough. We’re talking about a 7.60 ERA in 13 starts, which is rough. Muller’s command issues were still haunting him, and Oakland decided to move him to the bullpen.
Here’s where it gets interesting. In 2024, something clicked — at least a little bit. Muller improved his control out of the bullpen, lowering his BB/9 to under 2. Not bad, right? But while he stopped walking guys, he also stopped missing bats, finishing the year with a 4.01 ERA.
It’s not terrible, but it’s not exactly the kind of performance that guarantees you a spot on a Major League roster. And since he was out of minor league options, Oakland DFA’d him in August.
Kyle Muller signs with NPB team and heads to Japan
At that point, Muller had a choice: bounce around the waiver wire or try something different. He chose the latter, heading overseas to join the Chunichi Dragons in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league. And honestly? It might be the best move he could make.
Why Japan? Well, plenty of pitchers have gone to NPB, tweaked their mechanics, rediscovered their confidence, and come back to MLB stronger than ever. Guys like Miles Mikolas and Chris Martin made similar moves and found success. Muller’s only 27, and with his size and left-handed power arm, there’s still a lot to work with. If he can refine his command, he can really lock it in. A Major League return isn’t off the table.
Sure, the Braves and A’s might look back on that Sean Murphy trade and wonder if it was worth it. But for Muller, this isn’t the end of the story — it’s just a new chapter. The potential is still there, and now it’s up to him to make the most of it under the bright lights of Japanese baseball.
