The Athletics' 2023 MLB season will allow young players the opportunity to establish themselves in the major leagues.
Oakland's top-pitching prospect Mason Miller took advantage of his opportunity in the A's 6-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday afternoon at the Oakland Coliseum.
After his promotion from Triple-A Las Vegas, Miller flashed top-of-the-rotation stuff in his 4 1/3 innings pitched in which he surrendered two earned runs while striking out five Chicago batters.
"Miller was great," A's manager Mark Kotsay told reporters postgame. "I mean, you think about this kid. Where he's come from. The journey, the short journey, really, in terms of innings pitched in the minor leagues, to come here and face a good lineup, a good team.
"They've obviously been playing well and hitting well with the nerves to settle in. I thought Mason did an unbelievable job for his first time on the mound."
Miller only threw 81 pitches in his outing, but he ensured some arrived at home plate with heat. The 24-year-old hit 102 miles per hour on the radar gun at one point as A's fans got a sneak peek at their future flame thrower.
Furthermore, Miller touched 100 mph 15 times in his debut and became just the 10th starting pitcher in the Statcast era to reach the mark 15 or more times in a game.
"I mean, they were definitely there all morning," Miller told reporters when asked about having any nerves ahead of his first major league start.
"I just couldn't wait for it to get started. Control was a little sporadic, but I chalk that up to the nerves, and I think I settled in as the game went on."
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Miller wasn't the only piece of the future that starred in the loss to the Cubs as second baseman Jordan Diaz, who was recalled with the rookie pitcher, went 1-for-2 with an RBI.
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The A's slowly are integrating more youth into their squad, which likely will continue throughout this season.