Dodgers could get unexpected bullpen reinforcement in pitcher fans have written off

Remember Bobby Miller? The one-time top Dodgers pitching prospect who took baseball by storm in 2023 before falling off the map last season (ahead of falling even more off the map this year)? He may just end up saving the Dodgers this year. 

The Dodgers moved Miller to the bullpen in Triple-A at the end of July after he posted a 5.58 ERA in 69 1/3 innings as a starter, which fits into the struggles he’s had over the past two years. 

At the time, it seemed like a last-ditch effort for Miller and the Dodgers to try and extend the life of his career. And while that may have been the case, it’s starting to look like it could end up being a successful decision for both parties.

After allowing a run in his first appearance out of the bullpen, Miller’s now put together six straight scoreless innings in relief — a span in which he’s only allowed one baserunner in the form of a walk against the Salt Lake Bees. 

Although those six innings don’t take away from the struggles he had earlier this year, it’s likely put Miller back on the Dodgers’ MLB radar considering the team’s need in the bullpen. 

Bobby Miller is becoming a relief ace in Triple-A for the Dodgers

The Dodgers currently have three key bullpen arms on the injured list: Kirby Yates, Tanner Scott and Michael Kopech. They’ve also had a revolving door of pitchers on the injured list this year. 

All of that made it seem like the Dodgers would make a big splash at the deadline for a reliever, but they only ended up adding Brock Stewart, who projects to be more of a depth arm. Instead they’ll need to rely more on some of the unheralded guys in the organization.

It looks like the move to the minors has helped MIller put a little more on his pitches, as his fastball reached 100 MPH in his last outing for Oklahoma City after sitting at 97.3 MPH in his brief MLB stint earlier this year. 

Miller wouldn’t be the first converted starter to find success in the bullpen due to an uptick in velocity, but it would be a big win for a Dodgers team that’s 21st in MLB in bullpen ERA (4.24). 

Adding Miller to the MLB roster would also help the Dodgers fight against the roster churn they’ve suffered from this year, as they’d only need to make a 26-man roster move by bringing him up.

Throwing Miller in the bullpen was a “no harm, no foul” experiment, and it’s been a successful one so far in Triple-A. We’ll see if the Dodgers decide to move it to the big leagues.