July 24, 2008

St. Thomas Aquinas grad shining in the minor leagues

STAC graduate John Muller from Mahopac, NY is excelling on the mound in his second season with the Boise Hawks. Muller graduated from STAC in 2007 and signed a professional baseball contract with the Chicago Cubs organization. Muller currently hold the STAC record (NCAA Division II) in hits with 218 and is second in runs with 134.

449541.html

Article BY TOM FOX - tfox@idahostatesman.com

A change does Boise Hawks' Muller good

The Boise Hawk used to be a shortstop but has shined since switching to pitcher.

Boise Hawks closer John Muller still smiles when he talks about his final baseball game at St. Thomas Aquinas College.

More than a year later, emotion still shows as he rekindles memories from that June, 2007 day.

That was a day of surprises.

Then a fifth-year senior shortstop, Muller learned that day he set the Sparkill, N.Y., school's career hits record and that the Chicago Cubs wanted to sign him to a professional baseball contract.

"That was probably one of the best days of my life," he said.

The Mahopac, N.Y., native has learned quite a lot more since -and he's experienced more surprises going from a record-setting shortstop in college to dominant closer as a professional.

The first surprise came when a Cubs' scout said the team wanted to sign him as a free agent before the major-league draft. Another shock came when he was told by one of the team's scouts that the organization wanted him as a pitcher.

Muller did not pitch in Little League or through high school and he threw just six innings in college.

"I never thought that pitching would come about," he said. "All the scouts knew of me as a hitter."

Muller didn't want to take the chance of not being drafted at all and signed knowing he would have to learn the new position.

"I knew I could hit, but they gave me the opportunity and I wasn't going to let anything pass," he said.

And things have worked out.

Muller has dominated in his second season with the Boise Hawks.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Muller entered Tuesday's game tied with Tri-City's Austin Chambliss for the Northwest League lead with eight saves.

Muller did not pitch in Tuesday's 5-4 win against the AquaSox at Memorial Stadium.

In 13 appearances this season, Muller has a 2-0 record and 1.69 ERA. He has struck out 20 batters and walked six in 16 innings. His last 10 outings have been his best. He has picked up both wins and six of his saves while allowing just seven hits and one earned run in 11 innings.

Boise pitching coach Tom Pratt said Muller was a project as a pitcher last year, but has refined his trade since.

"He was a neophyte when it came to pitching and understanding," Pratt said. "Last year, he didn't even have the pickoff moves - he didn't have the footwork and didn't understand the pitching. And he's really come a long way. He's really been a pleasant surprise for us."

Muller started his professional career in Boise last year. He posted a 2-3 record, 5.15 ERA and three saves in 25 games. He allowed 41 hits in 43 innings and struck out 51 batters and walked 26.

"Last year, when I got here, everything was new to me," Muller said. "I never really pitched before. I pitched just a few innings in college and then when I got here, I've learned a lot."

He has learned how to be a complete pitcher, locating his 93 mph fastball, slider and change-up.

"Last year, I would throw the ball and sometimes it would go where it's supposed to go, sometimes not," he said. "That's the main thing I worked with a lot this last offseason and a lot this season and I think that's made me a better pitcher. Now when I throw my fastball, I know where it's going to go. I know where I'm going to put my slider.

"I'm a better pitcher now."

Tom Fox: 373-6618