Drafted in the 5th round (159th overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010 (signed for $157,500).
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While Oaks exceeded expectations at Michigan, Miller went in the other direction. He's 6-foot-6, 217 pounds and has a 92-94 mph fastball, but he went just 3-3, 5.12 and fell out of the rotation. Miller has a long arm action that makes it easy to see his fastball, which also gets straight at times. His slider is inconsistent and he doesn't command it well. Still, his size and arm strength could get him drafted in the first 10 rounds.
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Miller slipped down the draft boards of many teams after he pitched poorly during his junior season at Michigan and was removed from the rotation. He threw his fastball at 92-94 mph but it was straight for the most part, and he had trouble throwing his slider for strikes. After signing him for $157,500 in the fifth round last June, the Brewers liked just about everything they saw from him at Rookie-level Helena. Miller led the Pioneer League with seven victories and held opponents to a .244 batting average. After pitching 64 innings for Michigan in the spring, he maintained the velocity on his fastball as a pro, touching 97 mph at times, and was more consistent with his slider and changeup. Miller even mixed in a decent curveball at times. He was still throwing the ball well when Helena advanced to the playoffs and won the league crown. The coaching staff loved Miller's makeup and willingness to try coaching suggestions. With an above-average fastball and slider, and decent changeup, he projects as a middle-of-the-rotation starter in the majors. After a strong pro debut, Miller could jump to high Class A to begin the 2011 season.
Minor League Top Prospects
Miller pitched his way out of Michigan's rotation this spring, but he adapted well to pro ball, leading the Pioneer League in wins (seven) and ranking second in opponent average (.244). Helena captured the PL championship, with Miller picking up two of the Brewers' four posteason victories, including the clincher against Ogden. A 6-foot-6, 220-pound workhorse, Miller logged 146 innings between college and pro ball, including the playoffs. His fastball sits at 92-93 mph and touches 95, and he deftly mixes in a slider and changeup that both improved over the course of the season, in part because he's a sponge for instruction. If he continues along his current path, he could develop into a mid-rotation starter with a plus fastball and slider and an average changeup.
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