Gardner-Webb Alumnus Mason Miller Selected for MLB All-Star Game Tonight at 8 p.m.  

Closer Becomes First Player with Cleveland County Ties Since Kings Mountain’s Jake Early in 1943

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Just three years after graduating from Gardner-Webb University, pitcher Mason Miller will represent the Oakland A’s and the American League in the MLB All-Star Game tonight (Tuesday, July 16) at 8 p.m. Miller joins a lineup of younger players in one of the most anticipated mid-summer classics in recent years.

“You get these moments sometimes where you get to look back and see kind of how far you’ve come,” Miller said in a release on MLB.com “It gives you a little perspective on the success you’re having and all the hard work you’ve put in to get to this point.”

According to GWU Head Baseball Coach Jim Chester, Miller becomes the first player from Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties to be selected for the Major League All-Star game since Bessemer City’s Kevin Millwood (Atlanta Braves pitcher) was selected to play in the 1999 game.

Additionally, Miller is the first with Cleveland County ties since Kings Mountain’s Jake Early (Washington Senators catcher) was selected for the 1943 game. Other area All-Star selections have been Lowell’s Buddy Lewis (Washington Senators infielder-outfielder 1938 and 1947), Lowell’s Whitey Lockman (New York Giants infielder 1952) and Mount Holly’s Jimmie Hall (Minnesota Twins outfielder 1964 and 1965).

Since the start of the 2024 MLB season, Miller has wowed spectators and commentators with his fastballs and strikeouts. As of July 3, he had a 2.39 ERA with a 46.5% strikeout rate and 14 saves on the year. His success is a testament to his characteristic work ethic and determination. Miller suffered a mild sprain in his right elbow last season that kept him out of the game nearly four months. This season, the A’s moved him to the bullpen to protect his arm. The switch to relief added 2 mph to Miller’s four-seam fastball, which sat at 98.3 last season. The right-hander is down to just two pitches — fastball and slider.

His mom, Kirstin Miller, told MLB reporter Martin Gallegos, that her son is an overcomer. She shared how he returned to college and playing baseball in 2018 just a few days after being diagnosed with Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes.

He kept working, gaining weight and improving his fastball and transferred to Gardner-Webb’s Division I program when players were given a fifth season of eligibility because of COVID. He began working on his Master of Business Administration and pitched one season. He earned first-team All-Big South Conference honors in 2021 after going 8-1 with a 3.30 ERA and 121 strikeouts in 92.2 innings pitched. He led the Big South and ranked No. 21 nationally with his strikeout total — which ranked second in program history for a single season. His achievements gained national attention, and he was picked up by the A’s in the third round of the MLB draft.

Earlier this summer, Miller reflected on his growth at Gardner-Webb. “My time at GWU in the baseball program allowed to me to continue to develop my skills while learning to compete at a higher collegiate level,” he asserted. “The preparation and commitment increased as well as being able to train alongside other talented teammates. Coach (Jim) Chester gave me the chance to be a leader and put me at the front of our pitching staff, showing his belief in my abilities.”

Sources: MLB.com, Oakland A’s, GWUsports.com

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.