Padres' Mason Miller Tops Buster Olney's 2026 Relief Pitcher Rankings

Olney's annual positional rankings highlight the dominance of the Padres' young flamethrower

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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ESPN's Buster Olney has released his rankings of the top 10 relief pitchers heading into the 2026 MLB season, with the Padres' Mason Miller topping the list. Miller, acquired by San Diego in a midseason trade with the Athletics in 2024, has emerged as the game's most dominant closer with his triple-digit fastball and overpowering stuff. The rankings also feature several other top relievers, including the Dodgers' Edwin Diaz, the Phillies' Jhoan Duran, and the Red Sox's Aroldis Chapman.

Why it matters

Olney's annual positional rankings are closely watched by MLB fans and executives, as they provide a snapshot of the league's top talent at each position. The relief pitcher rankings are particularly significant, as the closer role has become increasingly important in the modern game. The Padres' acquisition of Miller has proven to be a game-changer, and his inclusion atop the list underscores San Diego's status as a World Series contender.

The details

According to the report, the Padres acquired Miller from the Athletics in a midseason trade in 2024, parting with top shortstop prospect Leo De Vries to land the hard-throwing right-hander. Since joining the Padres, Miller has been dominant, striking out 45 of the 83 batters he faced in the regular season and posting a .096 opponent batting average. In the playoffs, he whiffed 8 of 9 batters faced, with his average fastball velocity of 101.2 mph the highest of any reliever in 2025.

  • In the midst of the 2024 season, the Padres first checked in with the Athletics on Miller's availability.
  • Last June, the Padres again expressed interest in acquiring Miller from the A's.
  • About a week before the 2024 trade deadline, the Padres and A's finalized a deal that sent Miller to San Diego in exchange for shortstop prospect Leo De Vries.

The players

Mason Miller

A hard-throwing right-handed relief pitcher for the San Diego Padres, who was acquired by the team in a midseason trade with the Oakland Athletics in 2024.

A.J. Preller

The general manager of the San Diego Padres, who was instrumental in orchestrating the trade to acquire Mason Miller from the Athletics.

David Forst

The general manager of the Oakland Athletics, who negotiated the trade that sent Mason Miller to the Padres in 2024.

Leo De Vries

A highly-touted 19-year-old shortstop prospect in the Padres' system, who was the centerpiece of the trade that brought Mason Miller to San Diego.

Trevor Hoffman

A Hall of Fame relief pitcher who previously played for the Padres, and whose leadership qualities are seen as similar to those of Mason Miller.

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What they’re saying

“When you're talking about someone like Mason Miller, no one should be off the table.”

— A.J. Preller, San Diego Padres General Manager

“Leo was a difference-maker.”

— David Forst, Oakland Athletics General Manager

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.