San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller reached 104 miles per hour on the radar gun during a recent appearance, a dominant performance that solidified his value ahead of the MLB trade deadline. Miller recorded his 28th save of the 2026 season on Wednesday, helping the Padres secure a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies and extending their winning streak to five games. This win brings San Diego within 1.5 games of a National League Wild Card spot.
Miller's last three outs were recorded on pitches clocked at 102, 104, and 103 miles per hour, showcasing his elite velocity. At the end of Wednesday, FanGraphs indicated the Padres' playoff odds had risen to 17.5%, their highest mark since late June. The Padres began the second half of the season with a losing record in five of seven games, but recent success has shifted momentum.
With numerous teams actively seeking bullpen reinforcements, Miller has emerged as one of baseball's top closers this season. In 44 appearances, he has posted a 0.79 ERA with 85 strikeouts, holding opponents to a .135 batting average. According to reports, the Padres' general manager, AJ Preller, aims to be a buyer at the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
Last season, Miller was himself involved in trade deadline discussions. He was acquired by San Diego from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for shortstop prospect Leo De Vries, who is now ranked as the No. 2 prospect in baseball. Teams expressing interest in Miller should be prepared to offer significant talent from their own organizations, as he is considered an elite closer.