A former first-round pick in the 2009 Major League Draft, Shelby Miller signing a one-year contract for $1.5 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers signals yet another chance for their pitching staff to revitalize an arm.
Just like Tyler Anderson and Andrew Heaney demonstrated last season, the Dodgers arguably are the best team to help a pitcher find themselves again.
After many effective Major League seasons, beginning in 2013 as a prominent member of the St. Louis Cardinals rotation, injuries and the COVID-impacted year set Miller back, but he has already begun working his way to becoming an effective member on the mound for the Dodgers in 2023.
Although Miller spent minimal time up with the San Francisco Giants last year, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes sees plenty of reason to be encouraged with the right-hander, per Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times:
“He had a lot of success in Triple-A and has fully transitioned to being a reliever,” Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said. “It’s an interesting throw — a fastball with a kind of low-slot, rise-and-run, and the slider plays off that. We feel like he’ll have a high strikeout rate with an average walk rate.”
After beginning last season in the New York Yankees organization on a Minor League deal and posting a 1.71 ERA across 21 innings at the Triple-A level, Miller was cut on May 31.
However, just over a week later he was picked up by the Giants and began yet another Triple-A tenure with the Sacramento River Cats.
A 3.62 ERA in 27 games (including one start) and 32.1 innings was good enough for the Giants to offer him a big league promotion. Miller appeared four times down the stretch of 2022 out of the bullpen and allowed five earned runs in seven innings of work.
However, his first three appearances for San Francisco were all scoreless efforts.
While the Dodgers pitching staff has showcased their ability to aid in pitchers refining their way back on the mound, perhaps Miller could be the latest product to become effective once again with their help.
What role will Shelby Miller have with Dodgers?
Miller has transitioned to a relief role, but given his experience as a starter, it’s plausible he will be utilized by the Dodgers to pitch multiple innings.
He conceivably could be stretched out in the event the team needs a spot starter at some point in 2023.
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