Los Angeles Dodgers rookie Bobby Miller was not the organization’s first pitching prospect to make his MLB debut this season, but the right-hander has been the only one to remain in the starting rotation.
Gavin Stone struggled in his opportunities and was sent back to Triple-A Oklahoma City, and Emmet Sheehan shifted to the bullpen for his first career relief appearance before getting optioned as well.
Meanwhile, Miller took the mound Friday night to face the San Diego Padres in the opener of a wraparound series at Petco Park. He pitched just 3.2 innings but held the Padres to only two runs (one earned) despite allowing six hits and issuing one walk.
Following the Dodgers’ comeback win, Miller recognized his need to pitch deeper into games in order to become a reliable starter, via Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic
“The biggest goal is you want to be a ‘count-on’ guy when you’re out there,” Miller said. “Just got to make improvements each time out there to be able to become that ‘count-on’ guy.”
Although Miller allowed minimal damage, he was aided by James Outman making a leaping catch at the wall in center field to rob Fernando Tatis Jr. of a two-run homer.
One area Miller could improve on is putting batters away once getting them to two strikes. It again proved to be somewhat of a challenge for the 24-year-old against the Padres.
Overall this season, Miller is 6-2 with a 4.26 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in starts.
Bobby Miller likely part of Dodgers postseason rotation
With the impending return of Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler on the mend, and the additions of Lance Lynn and Ryan Yarbrough, the Dodgers are facing the possibility of having a surplus of starters come the postseason.
Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged Michael Grove and Sheehan are candidates to potentially take on a bullpen role, but he said Miller’s performance warranted remaining part of the Dodgers’ starting rotation for the playoffs.
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