Dodgers News: Bobby Miller Improved ‘Mound Presence’ From Rookie Season

Bobby Miller emerged as a key contributor in the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation last season and is now looking to take another step forward as he enters his second big league campaign.

The right-hander began the 2023 season with Triple-A Oklahoma City but ended up having a bigger role in L.A. as the year progressed due to injuries. Miller finished an impressive 11-4 with a 3.76 ERA, 3.51 FIP and 1.10 WHIP in 124.1 innings pitched as a rookie.

Miller will be part of the Dodgers’ Opening Day rotation this year and has already impressed manager Dave Roberts with the way he handles himself on the mound. “With Bobby, I think one part is his mound presence has gotten considerably better,” Roberts began.

“He’s much more under control with handling his emotions. Where [Monday] he wasn’t very good at getting ahead of hitters, but typically he does. As far as the stuff, the slider that he’s developing is more swing and miss, he’s more confident throwing the curveball and the changeup has really come.

“I think in the Minors, he could just overpower guys with a 100-mile-hour fastball, but now he has a lot of different weapons to attack hitters.”

Miller’s rookie season ended on a sour note as he allowed three runs on four hits over 1.2 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 2 of the National League Division Series. The 24-year-old was disappointed with the outing but vowed to come back stronger.

So far in 2024, Miller has pitched to a 4.32 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in three Cactus League appearances. He most recently allowed two runs and collected six strikeouts in five innings of work during an exhibition game against Team Korea.

Bobby Miller among Dodgers who tried Korean snacks

Miller was among the Dodgers who participated in a social media video of trying Korean snacks. Miller and Michael Grove did so together, while Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Brusdar Graterol ate the Korean treats individually.

Miller was alone in expressing his disdain over a fish-flavored snack, noting he is not a fan of any seafood.

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