Bobby Miller began his MLB career with an impressive string of performances, but his last three outings have served as a reminder of the development that still lies ahead for the Los Angeles Dodgers rookie.
Since holding opponents to one run or fewer in four consecutive starts, Miller has given up seven, six and three over his most recent outings. His performance against the Kansas City Royals in some regard was a bounce-back effort, but some of Miller’s familiar struggles resurfaced.
Miller acknowledged he didn’t pitch particularly well, but still found some silver linings in the start, including the Dodgers starting the series with a win, via SportsNet LA
“It was a little bit better. I think there was some good out of the game and the offense definitely had my back. I feel like the line was a little bit better than I felt like I actually pitched. I sitll wasn’t super happy about it, but it’s a win. I’ve got to take that and be happy about it. Bullpen as well had my back.”
Miller expanded on some of his frustration being with his results when pitching out of the stretch and also after getting two strikes on a batter:
“I’ve still got to get better out of the stretch. Windup, I feel really good. And two-strike pitches, 0-2 or 1-2, putaway pitches weren’t really there. I left some of the offspeed up in the zone.”
Miller’s four strikeouts were one more than in his start against the San Francisco Giants, but still tied for his third-fewest total this season.
Furthermore, he couldn’t get through sixth inning after retiring the first two batters. Maikel Garcia singled and stole second base, and Miller then hit Nick Pratto with a pitch. Freddy Fermin followed with a two-out RBI single that chased Miller from the game.
Dodgers remain confident in Bobby Miller
While the 24-year-old is enduring some growing pains, the Dodgers remain confident he will only benefit from gaining experience.
“He’s still a young Major League pitcher, so these are things you don’t get better at unless you keep getting experience with,” manager Dave Roberts said last week. “He’s going to be better for it, and I think there’s still a lot of good to take away from this outing. He’ll learn from it.”
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