Bobby Miller: Meet the Next Dodgers Ace
Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea
Dodgers fans have been extremely fortunate with the staff the team has assembled in the last few years. It certainly helps that Los Angeles is one of the biggest markets in the MLB and the Dodgers have one of the highest payrolls, but the team’s farm system and front office deserve credit too.
This year’s starting pitching staff alone is extremely impressive: Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urias, Tony Gonsolin, and Dustin May. Don’t forget Walker Buehler either, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery. All but Kershaw have spent time (or are currently) on the injured list this season, so the team has called on their farm system for assistance in another World Series pursuit. Enter rookie pitcher Bobby Miller.
Miller, 24, was the team’s first-round pick (29th overall) out of Louisville in the 2020 MLB draft and has developed into one of the Dodgers’ better prospects. He, like all players in the minor leagues, experienced a setback in development with the cancellation of the minor league season in 2020. However, according to the team’s website, he is currently their 2nd ranked prospect behind catcher Diego Cartaya.
On Sunday, Miller took the mound for the Dodgers-Yankees series finale in Los Angeles. Although the leading storyline was Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and his stellar catch through the right field fence at Dodger Stadium the previous day, Miller did not disappoint and had his best outing thus far in his young career in the 4-1 loss. The rookie threw six scoreless innings, struck out seven, allowed one hit and walked two against a veteran Yankees lineup.
According to Sarah Langs of MLB.com, the right-hander also broke history Sunday becoming the first Dodgers pitcher since at least 1901 with a 6+ innings pitched scoreless start allowing 1 hit or fewer within his first 3 career appearances. Through three starts on the season, Miller has a 1.06 ERA and 0.76 WHIP.
With an eye to the future of the Dodgers’ rotation, Miller’s emergence and growth is crucial. Kershaw and Urias will be free agents at the end of the season (Kershaw will likely be retained on a 1-year pact like the past two years) and Buehler is up for his final year of arbitration. The Dodgers will certainly be in the running for prized Angels pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani this offseason, but even if Ohtani signs with the Dodgers, his presumed record-breaking contract will only reinforce the need for internal improvement on the roster and in the farm system with a plethora of expensive contracts.
The sample size in the majors has been small for Miller but expect him to develop into one of the better pitchers for the Dodgers over the season and potentially in the MLB over his career.
