NPB Chunichi Dragons sign Kyle Muller

The Chunichi Dragons signed lefties Kyle Mulleraccording to numerous reports from Japan. Muller elected free agency after being cut outright from the Athletics’ 40-man roster at the end of the season, and will now explore a new chapter in his career in Nippon Professional Baseball.

A second-round pick for the Braves in the 2016 draft, Muller was a regular on Baseball Prospectus’ top 100 prospects list during his time in Atlanta’s farm system, though his numbers in the minors were more solid than dominant. Muller made his MLB debut in 2021 and posted a 5.14 ERA in 12 games and 49 innings with Atlanta in 2021-22 before the Braves sent him to the A’s as part of the three-team trade in December 2022 that he saw Sean Murphy end up in Atlanta.

Given a greater opportunity to start in Oakland, Muller posted a rough 7.60 ERA in 77 innings in 2023, losing his rotation job in the wake of his struggles. The lefty was used only as a reliever in 2024 and posted a 4.01 ERA and 5% walk rate over 49 1/3 innings, with the improved control a big step forward as walks had been no big deal for Muller in his previous big league job. Never much of a strikeout pitcher, Muller’s 17.8% strikeout rate in 2024 almost exactly matched his career mark of 17.9%.

Since Muller is out of minor league options, the Athletics had to designate him for assignment and then outright for the first time in August. The lack of option years will be a hindrance for Muller going forward in terms of North American baseball, and if perhaps faced with a 2025 season spent bouncing around DFA limbo and the waiver wire, pitching for the Dragons on a guaranteed deal it probably would have had more charm. Muller is still only 27, so there’s plenty of time for a potential return to the majors if he pitches well in NPB.