Muller, who dreamed of playing for the Mallards when he was a member of the team’s ballpark cleaning crew for two summers ending in 2007, enjoyed a magical two months last season in leading the offense-heavy ballclub with a .335 batting average.
Accolades for the youngster began near the season’s halfway point as he was named to the Northwoods League Mid-Season All-Star Team in June after hitting .302 with 7 doubles, 3 home runs, and 15 RBI through the first 42 games. He was also hitting an eye-popping .388 on the road at that mark.
“It was a huge honor to be named an all-star and a great feeling to know that you’re being grouped together with the best of the best in all of the Northwoods League,” said Muller from his home in Iowa City.
Muller sure made his mark in the All-Star Game, held last summer at the Thunder Bay Border Cats’ home, Port Arthur Stadium, in Ontario, Canada.
In an immensely competitive affair, Muller finished the contest going 3-for-5 at the plate with two stolen bases, only to be named the game’s “Star of Stars.” His team, the South Division, won the game 4-2; fitting as Muller knows a thing or two about winning between the chalked lines (he won back-to-back WIAA State Baseball Championships with the Cardinals in 2005 and 2006).
Although his season ended abruptly on July 26 when his right calf was struck with a baseball during an at-bat, Muller still went on to lead the team in average (.335), runs (40), triples (2), stolen bases (19), and on-base percentage (.409).
Even though he missed the season’s last 17 games, Muller was named to the NWL Post-Season All-Star Team for his still-impressive body of work.
Muller was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 22nd round (667th overall) of the 2010 MLB Draft.
