Bobby Miller: How Close is He?

I watch selected Minor League Games, sometimes switching from OKC to Tulsa to Great Lakes and even to Ranch Cucamonga. Last night I watch Bobby Miller take the mound for the Tulsa Drillers as they played the Wichita Wind Surge at ONEOK Field in Tulsa. Bobby Miller earned his third win of the season as he led the Drillers with a strong night on the mound as Tulsa scored just enough to hold off Wichita 5-4. The win gave the Drillers sole possession of first place in the Texas League North.

Devin Mann was the offensive hero, hitting a 3-Run HR, his 8th, but I was more interested in watching Bobby Miller who throws in the high 90’s and low 100s with what seems to be “little effort.” He went 5.2 innings and while his numbers were not “eye-popping” they were solid. Bobby allowed 6 hits, but five of them were singles (the other was a solo HR by Matt Wallner (his 13th). He gave up 2 Earned Runs and walked 3 while striking out 7. His ERA is 4.60 with a 1.23 WHIP for the year.

Bobby has now pitched 47 innings this year and has allowed 41 hits. He has walked 17 while striking out 50. The walks are certainly too high, but what the stats don’t tell you is that he is not “wild.” When he misses, it’s not by much. Pitches don’t “get away” from him. He has only given up 4 HRs this year and in his 103 minor league innings, he has only allowed 6 dingers. Hitters don’t often “barrel him up.” There is a lot of weak contact induced by his repertoire. Last night’s hits were usually of the “seeing-eye” variety.

If you just look at the stats, then one might conclude that Bobby Miller is another year away, but if you really watch him pitch you may conclude (like me) that he is pretty dang close. Bobby will be 24 years old next April and he could very well be a candidate for the Dodgers rotation by then. Last year was his first professional season and he pitched 57 innings, including in the Arizona Fall League. This year he has 47 innings pitched and I would imagine that he might get 100 to 115 innings this year. He has pitched 80+ in College a couple of times, so he’s not a youngster that has to be babied.

It’s obvious that the Dodger’s developmental staff is working with him on some mechanical aspects of his game, but I have no clue what that is and they certainly are not going to tell me. While his delivery is free and easy, it appears they are working on or experimenting with his best release point. I simply say this: My eyes can’t reconcile his 4.60 ERA with how I see him pitch. He looks much better this year than last year when he put up a 2.40 ERA. What I am trying to say is that Bobby Miller is not far from MLB-Ready. While I do not think we will see him THIS season (unless it is in relief), I think he could definitely be in the 2023 rotation. He is indeed a “horse” and his stuff is filthy!

Bobby Miller is done for the evening and threw a season-high 94 pitches in 5.2 innings. He gave up 6 hits, 2 earned, and struck out 7. #dodgers #dodgersprospects #bobbymiller pic.twitter.com/WdZW5rBE9A

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 17, 2022

Future Dodger Prospects

• At OKC last night Mike Busch was 2-4 with a double.
• Jason Martin was also 2-4 with 3 RBI, including his 9th HR.
• However, the hitting star at OKC was Jacob Amaya (who played 2B – McKinstry was at SS) and was 2-4 with 5 RBI, including a Grand Salami!
• Jake Lamb is playing LF probably pending a callup.
• Diego Cartaya was 2-4 for GL with 2 RBI and a BB.
• Leonard (2-5), DeJesus (4-6), and Ramos (3-5) were all part of a 13-run exploding for the Loons.
• Nick Nastrini pitched 4.2 innings and allowed 3 hits (0 Runs) while walking 3 and striking out 9.

I think there is a pretty good chance Diego ends up at Tulsa this season. In other words, Great Lakes will be Sans Diego! See what I did there?