It is no secret to anyone that has ever stepped foot on the Jesuit campus that Jesuit is home. Sure, it could be in the literal sense as many students involved in athletics or extracurriculars often spend more time here than at home during the school year due to an intense practice or academic schedule. But it is also true in the emotional, cheesy, figurative sense, as spending so much time with those around you builds a family and unites each other in one common dwelling, The Home. Eventually you must leave The Home, go into the real world get a job, invest in a new home, but often you return back to one common place, The Home. When you return back to The Home you get to see some family you haven’t seen in a while, see some new additions to it, and be an inspiration to the younger siblings, your fellow Jesuit brothers, in The Home.
This story is in effect every year for Jesuit. Various alumni come home to see their past teachers, friends, and coaches- their family. In the wintertime when we come back from break but colleges have not yet, you can often see the alumni that have come before. Often it is college kids as most adults can come on special occasions like Homecoming (what a great title), however this past winter we have seen several adults coming in, adults who just happen to play Major League Baseball. Kyle Muller ’16, one of the best athletes in Jesuit history, who also plays on the Oakland Athletics, along with several other Jesuit Baseball alumni have come in to train in The Dell during their offseason. Joining Muller, are his brother Chris Muller ’14, JT Mix ’17, Jacob Palish ’17, Jack Lynch ’19, all of whom play professional baseball in some capacity, and Tucker Davidson, a pitcher for the Braves.
Kyle Muller
Kyle Muller is one of the best athletes to ever come out of Jesuit. His name sits up there with Jordan Spieth ’11, Josh Bell ’11, and Jordan Lawler ’21, all of whom have turned pro and have become very successful in their careers.
Kyle Muller attended Jesuit from 2012-2016. His senior season was one of the best pitchers in the DFW area in a long time. His senior season was completed with a 0.33 ERA in 83 innings with 142 strikeouts. Muller was also a monster behind the plate too, with a .390 avg with 15 homeruns. With a stellar performance like that Muller achieved several awards his senior campaign. Yes, he won several UIL District and Regional awards, but he also was also named the National Player of the Year by Gatorade, Louisville Slugger, and Max Preps, which trophies and banners you will be able to find in the Hall of Honors in the athletic tower. He was also named an All-American by Baseball America and Max Preps.
Muller was drafted with the forty-fourth overall pick in the second round of the 2016 MLB amateur draft to the Atlanta Braves, receiving a 2.5 million dollar signing bonus. Muller moved around the minor leagues for a while before finally making his MLB debut against the Red Sox on June 16, 2021. He has moved around the MLB and Triple A systems for the better part of two seasons now. Many Jesuit families got the pleasure of seeing him pitch last year for the Braves against the Texas Rangers on Jesuit Day at Globe Life Field.
Muller was recently traded to the Oakland Athletics in a three team trade deal.
Interview:
I recently got the pleasure of interviewing Muller to get a better perspective of being a professional athlete.
What lessons from Jesuit have you used in your career?
“I’ve learned how be a better teammate from my time at Jesuit. The saying “man for others” helps tremendously in a team setting and understand that everyone needs to be pulling from the same side of the rope in order to win.”
How has Jesuit changed since you were a student here?
“Jesuit has changed obviously with the giant swimming pool in the parking lot and the cafeteria is ten times better.”
How do you apply Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam in your everyday life?
“Gratitude has been something I’ve been working on and something everyone should. Being grateful for Gods blessings however big or small makes living your everyday life for him easier to do.”
What inspired you to come back and train at your old school in the winter?
“I love the facilities and the people here. It’s a comfortable familiar place to be after being on the road for 8 months.”
You recently got traded to the Athletics. How does the experience of being traded work from a player standpoint?
“It all changed with a minute and a half long phone call. It was a surprise to me and I have no input in the matter at all. They just called me up out of the blue and told me I had been traded and thanks for my time!”
How have you enjoyed the MLB process so far?
“The process has been awesome, I learn more about my self as a person and a player every day. Constantly striving to be the best I can be. Everyday is fun and excited and I love it as much now as I ever have.”
What are some cool aspects of playing pro baseball that fans often do not recognize?
“A cool aspect is the ability to travel from city to city and go to places you might not ever plan to visit so the sight seeing and of the field experience is awesome.”
Do you have any advice for current Jesuit students on how to achieve their goals?
“Some advice for kids at Jesuit to achieve their goals is to whole heartedly buy into the process. If it’s something you dream of do everything in your power to achieve that. At the end of the day life is too short to explore and push yourself to be the greatest you can be at whatever that is. Bet on yourself and see how far you can take it.”
Jesuit Thoughts
Freshman baseball coach and former pro player Mike Grimes ’86 says, “they are just cool guys…who give inspiration to some of our student athletes to work hard.”
Current varsity baseball player Tristen Bird says, “seeing Kyle, Chris, and all of their MLB buddies up there working out is such a cool and unique thing. Training side by side with professionals is such an awesome experience. Also, it reflects on Jesuit that in their free time they choose to train back at the place they went to school.”
The family Jesuit creates is something unmatched by any other school in the country. The connections that a student, faculty, or parent makes through Jesuit are clearly ones that last. With the connections and support like our alumni, it is evident that all Jesuit students have the ability to achieve their goals in life. Whether it is being one of several professional Jesuit athletes, a world-renowned doctor, or an impactful citizen helping their community, Jesuit Dallas provides the education and experience needed to achieve their dreams.
Huge thanks to Kyle Muller ’16 for interviewing with me.
Stay tuned to The Roundup for more baseball coverage!
