Mason Miller added another monthly trophy to his growing collection on Monday, taking home National League Reliever of the Month honors for July after another overpowering stretch in San Diego’s bullpen.
The Padres closer was nearly untouchable all month. He posted a 0.82 ERA, allowed only five hits and gave up just one run, which came against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 4. Miller also issued only two walks while piling up 20 strikeouts across his appearances.
It was the latest reminder of how dominant he has been since landing in San Diego. Miller won the award in September after arriving with the Padres, then captured it again in April and May this season before adding July to the list. Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman won the American League honor.
The recognition also came with plenty of attention around Miller’s status. As of Monday morning, there was still uncertainty over what Padres GM A.J.
Preller would do, but the team’s recent winning surge had effectively taken Miller off the market. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported Sunday night that San Diego also turned down a Yankees offer that would have sent Will Warren to the Padres for Adrian Morejon.
The award arrived just days after the one-year anniversary of the trade that brought Miller to San Diego, a deal that sent top prospect Leo De Vries to the Athletics as the centerpiece.
Miller’s July work was strong enough to stand out even after a rare stumble to open August, when he suffered a blown save in the first game of the month. He also represented the National League in the All-Star Game, where he recorded one out on a strikeout.
Philadelphia Phillies closer Jhoan Duran had won the award in June, but Miller reclaimed it in July with yet another month of high-end shutdown work.
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For San Diego, that approach is always the point of tension. Preller has made clear that his priority is building a team capable of chasing championships, even when it means dealing away some of the organizations best young talent, and the latest deadline moves only sharpen the long-running debate over whether that style gives the Padres their best chance now or costs them too much later. [Read more 🡒]