| Chris Muller | |
|---|---|
| Acereros de Monclova – No. 80 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:April 22, 1996 Dallas, Texas, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right |
Christopher Robert Muller (born April 22,1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League (LMB). He is currently a phantom ballplayer,having spent three days on the Tampa Bay Rays' active roster without appearing in a big-league game.
During his early years Muller was a standout pitcher for the Which Wich Grinders and attended Jesuit College Preparatory School in Dallas,Texas. [1] He attended Paris Junior College,where he began his college baseball career,and transferred to the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) to play for the UTSA Roadrunners. [2] [3]
Muller was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 17th round,with the 499th overall selection,of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft. [4] He signed with the Rays on June 19,2017. [5] He made his professional debut in 2018,splitting time between the rookie-level Gulf Coast Rays and Low-A Hudson Valley Renegades. In 14 games,he posted a 2.28 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 23.2 innings pitched. [6] In 2019,he pitched in 31 games for the Single-A Bowling Green Hot Rods,logging a 2–5 record and 2.88 ERA with 87 strikeouts and 4 saves in 56.1 innings pitched. [7]
Miller did not play in a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. [8] He instead played for the Sugar Land Lightning Sloths of the Constellation Energy League,where he logged a 5.63 ERA with 9 strikeouts and 2 saves in 7 appearances. [9] He spent the 2021 season split between Bowling Green and the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits. In 21 combined appearances,he registered a 4.98 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 7 saves in 21.2 innings pitched. [10]
He spent the 2022 season with the Triple-A Durham Bulls,making 51 appearances and registering a 5–3 record and 4.91 ERA with 75 strikeouts and 2 saves in 58.2 innings pitched. [11] Muller was assigned to Triple-A Durham to begin the 2023 season,where he made 14 appearances and posted a 3.71 ERA with 19 strikeouts and 1 save in 17.0 innings pitched. [12]
Following an injury to Drew Rasmussen,on May 12,2023,Muller was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. [13] Muller did not make an appearance for the Rays and was optioned to Triple-A on May 15 when Pete Fairbanks was activated off of the injured list,making him a phantom ballplayer. [14] On May 28,Muller was designated for assignment following the promotion of Joe LaSorsa. [15] He cleared waivers and was released by the Rays on May 29. [16] He re-signed with the team on a minor league contract on June 15. [17] After 6 scoreless appearances for the rookie–level Florida Complex League Rays,Muller was released for a second time on August 3. [18]
On August 6,2023,Muller signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox organization. [19] He made 9 appearances for the Triple–A Charlotte Knights,struggling to an 11.88 ERA with 7 strikeouts across 8+1⁄3 innings pitched. Muller elected free agency following the season on November 6. [20]
On March 22, 2024, Muller signed with the Cleburne Railroaders of the American Association of Professional Baseball. [21] In 33 appearances for Cleburne, he recorded a 3.43 ERA with 51 strikeouts and 4 saves across 42 innings of work.
On April 17, 2025, Muller signed with the Rieleros de Aguascalientes of the Mexican League. [22] In nine appearances for Aguascalientes, he struggled to a 1-1 record and 11.88 ERA with six strikeouts across 8+1⁄3 innings pitched. Muller was released by the Rieleros on May 3. [23]
On May 4, 2025, Muller signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League. [24]
His younger brother, Kyle, is also a Major League Baseball pitcher, who currently plays for the Oakland Athletics. [25]