A clear focus for the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 2020 MLB Draft was adding pitching depth to their farm system. The organization used four of their six picks on college pitchers, including selecting right-hander Bobby Miller out of Louisville with the 29th overall pick in the first round.
Miller is a flamethrower who pitched both as a starter and out of the bullpen during his time at Louisville. He believes he is capable of starting in the big leagues and is in the right organization to help him do that.
“I don’t want to be like all those other guys who say they’re a starter just because of the name of it, but I like to truly think I am a starter and have been proving that this year. I’ve been proving a lot of people wrong,” Miller said.
“I worked so much during the offseason on my endurance and mechanics. My mechanics got better. I’ve still got a lot more improvement to do but I thought I really started to show I can hold velocity in late innings. I added a new pitch and I’m still getting better with those. I think this is the perfect organization to help me get better and be the best player I can possibly be.”
The Dodgers’ player development staff is known to be one of the best in the sport, so it is not surprising to see Miller take that stance. He added that while he was a Chicago Cubs fans growing up in Illinois, the Dodgers were the team he wanted to draft him all along.
“I’ve always been a Cubs fan but I’ve never disliked a team to be honest. The Dodgers, I’ve always been a huge fan of my whole life,” Miller explained.
“When I went out to Area Code games, I was telling my dad I wanted to go to a Dodgers game. He took me to one, I was sitting in the first row in right field and I was thinking, ‘I would love to play here one day. This is my dream. L.A. right here, the Dodgers. Always a known, great program for such a long time.
“It can’t get any better than this. This is my dream. If I could pick one team, if I had the choice, this would be the one.’ It’s just such a coincidence. I’m so happy it actually happened. I’m going to work so hard to get up there and play on that field.”
While Miller tried to remain positive throughout the night of the draft, he admitted to being surprised when he heard him name called. “A little bit, yeah. I mean, I had confidence the whole time. I was trying to keep my mom and dad up, trying to keep the vibes positive,” he recalled.
“I just had a lot of faith, I had a lot of hope. It’s a little stressful going through it but I’m so happy. I’m so excited right now. It’s hard to describe.”
After being drafted, Miller revealed that potential future teammate Walker Buehler is one of his favorite pitchers in baseball due to his attitude and presence on the mound. Miller feels he pitches with a similar style and can match that energy and intensity when he takes the mound for the Dodgers.
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