Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres is poised to chase four reliever records in the 2026 MLB season, while four others are likely out of reach. His performance has been impressive since joining the team.
Key points
Mason Miller is a reliever for the San Diego Padres.
He was acquired from the Athletics at last year's trade deadline.
Miller has been performing dominantly this season.
He can realistically chase four reliever records in 2026.
Four other records are unlikely for him to achieve.
So far, despite the massive price tag, it's been worth it. Miller has been awesome for the Padres, and this year he looks more dominant than ever.
As ESPN's David Schoenfield highlighted, there are eight reliever records Miller can chase this season. However, there are only four that are realistically within reach, with the other four being either unlikely or nearly impossible.
These are the eight categories Schoenfield highlighted: "Lowest batting average allowed; Strikeout rate; Strikeouts in a season; Lowest OPS allowed; Lowest ERA; Most saves; Most saves (no blown); Highest WAR."
Of those eight categories, which can Miller actually break this season? The Padres closer has a chance to break the batting average, strikeout rate, lowest OPS, and most saves without blowing one record this year.
Q&A
What records can Mason Miller break in the 2026 MLB season?
Mason Miller can realistically chase four reliever records during the 2026 MLB season.
Which records are unlikely for Mason Miller to achieve in 2026?
There are four records that are considered unlikely or nearly impossible for Mason Miller to break in the 2026 season.
How has Mason Miller performed since joining the Padres?
Since joining the Padres, Mason Miller has shown impressive performance and dominance on the mound.
What was significant about Mason Miller's trade to the Padres?
Mason Miller was acquired by the Padres in a massive trade at last year's trade deadline, indicating high expectations for his impact.
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Mason Miller can break 4 MLB reliever records, while 4 are out of reach
4 records within reach for Mason Miller
Miller has allowed batters to hit .121 off him this season, with the record from Kirby Yates in 2024 with the Texas Rangers at .113 within striking distance.
Miller has a decent chance to break that record, especially if he breaks another record he has a good chance to break, and that's strikeout rate.
So far in 2026, he's struck out 55.7% of the batters he's faced, with the current record of 53.5% from Aroldis Chapman already within Miller's grasp.
Then, when it comes to OPS allowed, Craig Kimbrel in 2012 allowed a .358 OPS, while Miller has a ridiculously low .285 OPS allowed this season.
Those are the three obvious ones, but the saves without blowing one will be tough for Miller to break, though there is a chance.
Eric Gagne has the record from his 2003 season in which he went a perfect 55-for-55. As Schoenfield notes, Miller, "Maybe?" has a chance to break this record.
It's possible if he picks up the pace a bit, as Schoenfield notes his pace is just 50 saves on the year. But if he remains perfect and gets a few more save chances, this record could be within reach.
4 records out of reach for Mason Miller
However, Schoenfield simply answered that, "No," the save record, 62, set by Francisco Rodriguez in 2008, is not within reach. He's on pace for 50, and it would take a miracle to even come close to this record.
And when it comes to strikeouts in a season from a reliever, Schonefield once again states that, "No," this record is not in play. Dick Radatz struck out 181 batters in 1964, and Miller is on pace for 151 this year.
There's one main issue that Schoenfield identified: "Miller, of course, won't approach 100 innings, let alone 150." Radatz threw 157 innings in his record-breaking season. Miller can have the best strikeout rate in MLB history, but total K's is out of reach.
The lowest ERA is also likely out of reach. He has a 1.04 ERA right now, and with the record from Zack Britton in 2016 at a 0.54, Miller has a lot of work to do to get close.
"If Miller pitches the same 61.2 innings as last season, he can allow only three earned runs; four earned runs in those innings would leave him with a 0.58 ERA," Schoenfield writes.
What that means is Miller would need to allow no more than one more run all year. That's just not realistic at all. Even if he does post a sub 1.00 ERA on the year, the record is likely out of reach already.
Lastly, the highest WAR from a reliever in a season is likely out of reach, with Goose Gossage's 8.2 and Bruce Sutter's 5.2 likely being out of range for Miller, who is on pace for 4.5 bWAR.
It's thanks to those relievers pitching more innings than Miller will this season, leaving him very little room to rack up WAR. He can reach close to 5.0 bWAR, but it's going to be difficult.
Mason Miller is chasing history, but only 4 records are realistic
Of the eight possible records Schoenfield highlighted, only strikeout rate, lowest batting average allowed, and lowest OPS allowed are well within reach. Miller has a chance for the most saves without blowing one, but that's far from a guarantee.
Miller is having a historic season so far, as he's been the best reliever in baseball with some of the fastest and filthiest pitches in the sport.
The Padres closer has a chance to set some records this season, though he already likely won't hit a few records thanks to some ridiculously impressive feats from relievers in years past.
