When the Los Angeles Dodgers picked Bobby Miller out of Louisville with the No. 29 pick in 2020 MLB Draft, they knew they would be getting a live arm with the potential to be a frontline starting pitcher.
The 22-year-old features a fastball that reaches triple-digits, an elite slider, developing offspeed stuff, and has previously said his competitive mentality aligns with Dodgers teammate Walker Buehler.
Miller pitched a combined 56.1 innings last year between High-A Great Lakes and Double-A Tulsa. Of those, 47 innings came with the Loons and were accompanied by a sterling 1.91 ERA. Miller has risen through Dodgers prospect rankings and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman expects him to make his MLB debut at some point in the 2022 season.
Miller recently was asked about his on-field temperament and acknowledged having an competitive spirit similar to that of Clayton Kershaw, via “Dodger Talk” with David Vassegh on AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio, :
“I’d say more Kershaw. I kind of just like say stuff to myself. I try not to make a big scene or anything, not throw anything around or stuff like that. But yeah, I can kind of bark to myself under my glove. That’s about it. It’s something I’ve been working on. Just calming myself down, get to the next pitch, execute my next pitch, forget about the last one. It’s something that’s very important in this game, especially pitching.”
Drawing inspiration for himself with two top pitchers in MLB is wise for a young player. With talent like Miller has, his MLB debut will certainly be much anticipated.
The 23-year-old began the Minor League season with the Drillers, where he is yet to record a decision but has a 1.93 ERA and seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings pitched across two starts.
Although Miller somewhat surprisingly was not among the Dodgers’ non-roster invitees to Spring Training this year, he was with the team for the exhibition Freeway Series.
Miller was selected to start against the L.A. Angels on what was also his 23rd birthday. He threw 55 pitches (29 strikes) over three scoreless innings and gave the Angels lineup a steady dose of four-seam fastballs.
Miller’s heater reached triple digits on several occasions and averaged 99.3 mph for the night. “It felt good. Maybe I got a little bit too amped up, which could’ve impacted landing offspeed pitches,” he said after the outing.
“I just got to learn to calm myself down a little bit more and command those offspeed pitches to make them respect it a little more.”
One of Miller’s strikeouts came against Shohei Ohtani to begin the game.
“That’s a good one. That’s a nice feather in your cap, your first big league punch being Ohtani. Obviously when he’s working ahead, the stuff, he can get anyone out,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
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