Kyle Muller is putting together a nice year in Gwinnett and has been hot recently. Has he figured something out?
Kyle Muller has been a top pitching prospect in the Atlanta Braves system for a while. A massive left-handed arm with a power fastball with the potential for a great breaking ball.
The biggest question mark: Would he ever learn how to command it? That has been what has plagued him in his limited major league experience. It is hard to live with a 14.9% walk rate.
Most believe if he can learn to limit his walks, he has a shot to be a quality starter at the major league level. Most also believe that a year in Gwinnett with Mike Maroth could be exactly what Muller needs. Hopefully, Maroth could work wonders like he did for Kyle Wright in 2021.
So far, the numbers in AAA look great for Muller with a 2.99 ERA, 3.57 FIP, 3.46 xFIP, 1.09 WHIP, 31.6% strikeout rate, and 8.0% walk rate. An incredible campaign thus far for Muller.
Since June 2nd, he has been even better with a 2.08 ERA, 3.39 FIP, 0.85 WHIP, 31.5% strikeout rate, and a 6.2% walk rate. Muller is limiting the walks and is showing the results.
#Braves' Kyle Muller was named Triple-A International League Pitcher of the Month after posting a 1.87 ERA, .171 OA & 0.77 WHIP in 5 June starts. Most encouraging: 43 strikeouts with just 6 walks in 33 2/3 innings. He had 6 walks May 1 at Texas in his only MLB start this season.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) July 7, 2022
If he can limit the free base runners, he can be successful because he is tough to barrel-up when he is on.
There are reports that his fastball is showing more life lately. He also reportedly is showing a sharper breaking ball with greater control. If he can throw it for strike with a live fastball, he has as hot to stick in the majors whenever he gets his next opportunity.
There is a possibility he could be traded at the deadline as teams will always see value in a hard-throwing lefty.
He also could be the next in line to replace Ian Anderson if he continues to struggle. Anderson has not been consistent this year, and Muller might be the first guy up barring a trade.
Hopefully, his time in Gwinnett has taught Muller some new tricks and he has taken that next step in his development.