Former Lugnuts Miller, Moreno honored by MLB
On November 11, former Lansing Lugnuts pitcher and current San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller was named the 2026 Trevor Hoffman National League Relief Pitcher of the Year, the first Lugnut to receive the honor. Miller was also named All-MLB 1st Team. Miller made three starts for the Lugnuts to
On November 11, former Lansing Lugnuts pitcher and current San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller was named the 2026 Trevor Hoffman National League Relief Pitcher of the Year, the first Lugnut to receive the honor. Miller was also named All-MLB 1st Team.
Miller made three starts for the Lugnuts to end the 2022 season, striking out 13 batters while allowing just three hits and two walks in seven innings.
Mason Miller was throwing straight ⛽
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) September 11, 2022
The @Athletics’ No. 21 prospect struck out seven of the 10 batters he faced for the @LansingLugnuts! pic.twitter.com/2KiAPFQDoT
Miller jumped up to the Major Leagues with the A's after just one Double-A start and one Triple-A start in 2023. He was then traded to the San Diego at the 2025 trade deadline as part of a six-player swap that saw top prospect Leo De Vries head to Lansing.
Miller excelled in 2026, earning his second All-Star nod while posting a 1.67 ERA, striking out 129 while allowing just 16 runs (13 earned) on 37 hits and 26 walks in 70 innings, and led the National League in both games finished (57) and saves (38). How remarkable was Miller's season? He whiffed 47% of all batters faced, the sixth highest for any pitcher in single season MLB history, minimum 50 innings.
And Mason also became a dad on October 6.
Mason Miller is the 2026 BBWAA National League Reliever of the Year! pic.twitter.com/eFWYEbB289
— MLB (@MLB) November 12, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno joined Miller on the All-MLB 1st Team.
In 2019, a 19-year-old Moreno had enjoyed a smashing debut for the Lugnuts, going on to bat .280 with 12 homers, 52 RBIs and an .823 OPS in 82 games.
FIRST game, FIRST at bat & FIRST homerun!! Gabriel Moreno had himself a day. 👏👊 #WelcometotheLugLife | #GoNuts pic.twitter.com/9yosau8nA4
— Lansing Lugnuts (@LansingLugnuts) May 15, 2019
Seven years after starring in Lansing, Gabriel Moreno won the National League batting title with a .311 average, adding himself into rarefied air. Only four prior catchers in MLB history had led their league in batting.
Moreno also won the Gold Glove Award, his second; only one prior catcher in MLB history, Joe Mauer, had won a Gold Glove and the batting crown in the same year.
NL Batting Title ✅
— MLB (@MLB) November 12, 2026
Gold Glove ✅
Gabriel Moreno now earns a spot on the All-MLB First Team! pic.twitter.com/At1oUlkeWx