For any Dodgers fan who casually tossed Bobby Miller into some offseason trade packages last year, you might want to rethink your stance. Just because he throws 100 MPH gas does not mean he’s destined to be a reliever.
Miller got the nod on the big-league mound at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night to end the exhibition season. Not only did he not disappoint, but he redefined expectations on a national stage.
Any local stage quickly becomes national when you’re whiffing Shohei Ohtani, after all.
Miller’s first MLB strikeout (non-regular-season division, of course) came with a century-mark heater down the pike to Ohtani that took the slugger by complete surprise.
Maybe he’ll want to ask the Louisville product for some notes on how to make it all look so effortless before he toes the rubber this week? Mercy.
Dodgers Bobby Miller is untradeable after blitzing Shohei Ohtani
And it was his 23rd birthday. Talk about a celebration.
Miller’s three scoreless innings were remarkably impressive, topped only by the fact that he was able to stay awake and alert throughout the exciting proceedings. Said the right-hander after the contest:
"“Almost blacked out a little bit,” said Miller. “A little nervous going into it, but probably the highlight of my career right there.”"
Well let’s, uh, let’s make some more substantive highlights, shall we?
Miller wasn’t just pumping gas on Tuesday. He reached rarefied air, showing off his best stuff at a level that only Jacob deGrom has reached in the past calendar year.
33 times! 33! 33!!
Last season, Miller struck out 70 in 56.1 innings in what was his first pro season after being drafted in 2020. It’s easy to forget Miller’s extremely new to this whole “professional baseball” thing, but he seems to be taking to the Dodgers’ coaching quite well.
While this’ll likely be the last time Dodgers fans see Miller on the stadium bump this year (never say never, though…), it was a fitting preview of the unique electricity he can bring to the rubber when he’s on.
We’ve said it before when Walker Buehler was selected, and we’ll say it again now: how the hell can other MLB teams forgive themselves for letting the Dodgers get another advanced college arm like this at PICK 29?! It’s not supposed to be this easy!
Dodgers: 3 questions to ask after Craig Kimbrel-AJ Pollock trade
The Los Angeles Dodgers traded AJ Pollock for Craig Kimbrel on Friday ... but a number of questions remain despite this looking like a fair swap.