Brad Mills (pitcher)

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Brad Mills
Mills with the Lansing Lugnuts in 2008
Pitcher/Coach
Born: (1985-03-05) March 5, 1985 (age 39)
Mesa, Arizona, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Left
Professional debut
MLB: June 18, 2009, for the Toronto Blue Jays
NPB: October 12, 2013, for the Orix Buffaloes
Last appearance
NPB: October 12, 2013, for the Orix Buffaloes
MLB: August 14, 2015, for the Oakland Athletics
MLB statistics
Win–loss record4–4
Earned run average7.97
Strikeouts71
NPB statistics
Win–loss record0-1
Earned run average10.12
Strikeouts2
WHIP3.00
Teams

Bradley Aaron Mills (born March 5, 1985) is a former American professional baseball pitcher and current coach.[1] He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and Oakland Athletics and in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Orix Buffaloes.

Playing career[edit]

Amateur career[edit]

Mills graduated from Mountain View High School in Mesa, Arizona, and pitched collegiately for the University of Arizona Wildcats.

Toronto Blue Jays[edit]

Mills was originally selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 22nd round (660th overall) in the 2006 amateur draft. Mills, however, chose not to sign with the Jays and instead returned to school for his senior year to complete his degree in civil engineering.[2] After completing his senior season at Arizona, Mills would once again be selected by the Blue Jays, this time in the fourth round (145th overall) of the 2007 amateur entry draft. He began his professional career later in 2007 with short-season Class A Auburn, posting a 2–0 won-lost record in 18 innings, striking out 21 with an ERA of 2.00. In 2008, Mills achieved the best record by a pitcher in the entire Blue Jays' minor league organization. Splitting his season with three teams (A Class Lansing, Advanced A Dunedin, and AA New Hampshire), Mills was 13–5 in 27 games (all starts), with 159 strikeouts over 147.1 innings pitched, with an ERA of 1.95. He was chosen a Midwest League Mid-Season All-Star at Lansing. Advancing to AAA Las Vegas 51s for 2009, Mills at the time of his promotion was leading the team in innings pitched with 76.1, and had a 1–8 record, a 4.48 ERA, and 65 strikeouts. [3]

The Toronto Blue Jays had suffered a string of injuries to many of their pitchers from early 2009 onwards, leading to several promotions from within their minor-league system. On June 17, Mills' contract was purchased by the Blue Jays. On June 18, 2009, he made his major league debut by taking over Casey Janssen's scheduled start on the road against the 2008 World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies, giving up four earned runs in 3+23 innings.[4]

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim[edit]

On December 3, 2011, he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for catcher Jeff Mathis.[5][6] He made his only appearance for the Angels on July 8 and earned his 3rd career win, pitching five scoreless innings, with no walks and six strikeouts, and three hits allowed.[7]

Texas Rangers[edit]

On March 24, 2013, Mills was claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers.[8][9] Mills was assigned to the Rangers' Triple-A team, the Round Rock Express of the Pacific Coast League (PCL), after clearing waivers.

Orix Buffaloes[edit]

Mills signed with the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball on July 18, 2013.[10]

Milwaukee Brewers[edit]

On January 9, 2014, Mills signed a minor-league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.[11] Mills was assigned to the Nashville Sounds of the PCL, where in 12 starts, he was 4-2 with a 1.56 ERA.

Oakland Athletics[edit]

On June 17, 2014, Mills was traded to the Oakland Athletics for cash considerations,[12][13] which was later revealed to be $1. He had an opt-out clause in his contract with the Brewers that allowed Mills to leave the organization for zero compensation if another team put him on their active roster.[14] Mills joined the Athletics starting rotation immediately and made his first start for the A's on June 20 against the Boston Red Sox.[15] On June 25 against the New York Mets, Mills picked up his first win as an Oakland Athletic. He was designated for assignment on July 7, after making 3 starts for Oakland and posting a 1–1 record with a 4.41 earned run average.[16]

Second stint with Toronto Blue Jays[edit]

On July 17, 2014, Mills was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays.[17][18] After allowing 8 runs in 2 innings pitched during a 14–1 loss to the Boston Red Sox,[19] Mills was designated for assignment on July 22.[20][21] He cleared waivers on July 25, and was assigned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. On August 10, Mills was recalled from Triple-A.[22] After pitching in relief in Seattle on August 11, he was designated for assignment on August 12, and assigned outright to Buffalo on August 14. Altogether, Mills recorded a 27.00 ERA with 5 strikeouts in 413 innings for the Blue Jays in 2014.[23] He elected free agency after the season ended.[24]

Second stint with Oakland Athletics[edit]

On October 27, 2014, Mills signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics. He was called up from the Triple-A Nashville Sounds on August 14, 2015 to start against the Baltimore Orioles.[25] Mills was designated for assignment on August 15, and assigned outright to Nashville on August 17. He elected to become a free agent following the season.

Seattle Mariners[edit]

On December 17, 2015, Mills signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners. He was released on September 22, 2018.

Coaching career[edit]

In December, 2019, the Chicago Cubs hired Mills as a Run Prevention Coordinator.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Kendall Graveman Breaks News of Cubs Hiring Former Pitcher Brad Mills". Cubsinsider.com. December 27, 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  2. ^ "Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - an Interview with a Civil Engineer (Brad Mills)".
  3. ^ "Brad Mills Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights | Las Vegas 51s Stats". Archived from the original on 2012-02-23. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
  4. ^ "Blue Jays sneak by Phillies after Barajas' pinch-hit HR in 9th caps homerfest". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 18, 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  5. ^ Saxon, Mark (December 3, 2011). "Angels' Jeff Mathis to Jays for Brad Mills". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  6. ^ Spencer, Lyle (December 3, 2011). "Angels trade Mathis to Blue Jays for lefty Mills". MLB.com. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  7. ^ "Albert Pujols, Mike Trout go deep as Angels shut out O's". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 8, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  8. ^ Gonzalez, Alden (March 24, 2013). "Angels lose Mills on waivers to Texas". MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  9. ^ "Rangers claim Brad Mills off waivers". ESPN.com. March 24, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  10. ^ "LHP Brad Mills Granted Release to Sign with Orix Buffaloes". MILB.com. July 18, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  11. ^ Sorgi, Jay (January 9, 2014). "Brewers make minor league deals with two pitchers". TMJ4. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  12. ^ "A's acquire LHP Brad Mills from Brewers". CSN Bay Area. June 17, 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-07-15. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  13. ^ "A's LHP Pomeranz breaks right hand punching chair". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 17, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  14. ^ Rosiak, Todd (June 17, 2014). "Brewers trade Brad Mills to the Oakland A's...for $1?". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  15. ^ Gartland, Dan (June 17, 2014). "Athletics acquire pitcher Brad Mills for $1". SI.com. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  16. ^ "A's designate lefty Brad Mills for assignment". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 7, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  17. ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (July 17, 2014). "Blue Jays claim LHP Mills from Athletics". Sportsnet. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  18. ^ "Jays claim Brad Mills off waivers from Oakland". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 17, 2014. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  19. ^ Chisholm, Gregor (July 21, 2014). "Blue Jays' hurlers can't contain Red Sox in blowout". MLB.com. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  20. ^ Adams, Steve (July 22, 2014). "Blue Jays To Designate Brad Mills For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  21. ^ "Blue Jays promote top pitching prospect Sanchez". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 22, 2014. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  22. ^ Dakers, Tom (August 10, 2014). "Blue Jays send Ryan Goins to Buffalo". bluebirdbanter.com. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  23. ^ "Brad Mills Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  24. ^ "Tuesday Tidbits: Minor League Free Agents, Drew Hutchison, Blue Jays Roster Tree". Bluebird Banter. September 30, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  25. ^ Koo, Jeremy F. (August 14, 2015). "Oakland A's call up Brad Mills to start Friday, option Arnold Leon, designate Taylor Thompson for assignment". Retrieved August 15, 2015.

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