Cody Snavely
LOS ANGELES— The rise and fall of right-handed pitcher Bobby Miller is on pace to become an interesting case study in the future and, so far, is the greatest “what if” on this Los Angeles Dodgers roster.
Looking back in a time machine, Bobby Miller was arguably the best starter in the Dodgers’ rotation that season. After the call-up, Miller helped solidify the front end of the rotation along with Clayton Kershaw and even started Game Two of that year’s National League Division Series.
Miller, who was selected with the 29th pick in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers out of Louisville, made his Major League debut just three seasons later on May 23rd against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. The righty would never look back after spinning five innings and giving up four hits, one run, and one walk while striking out five.
Miller would start twenty-one more games for the Dodgers that season, finishing with an 11-4 record, 3.76 ERA, 3.51 FIP, 1.10 WHIP, 8.61 K/9, 2.32 BB/9, 3.72 K/BB, and a 0.87 HR/9 along with nine quality starts while collecting 119 strikeouts in 124.1 innings pitched.
Regarding rookie starting pitchers, Miller ranked third in WAR (2.8) and top ten in ERA and FIP and, for most of the season, was in the conversation for a potential Rookie of the Year Award nod.
However, after a successful rookie campaign, Miller took a massive step back in year two, battling injuries and inconsistencies that led to his demotion to Triple-A before the season ended.
Statistically, Miller was not only the worst starter on the Dodgers but also the worst starting pitcher in Major League Baseball, posting a 2-4 record and 8.52 ERA in fifty-six innings of work.
After a full offseason to recover from his shoulder and knee injuries, Miller looked to change the narrative and look more like his 23-year-old self entering spring training this year. However, a comeback line drive off the bat of former Dodgers top prospect Michael Buch changed all that.
Miller would miss the rest of spring training in concussion protocol and, despite being in consideration for a spot on the Dodgers roster, would be optioned to Triple-A OKC to begin the year.
With lefty Blake Snell on the 15-day injured list, the Dodgers have been searching for a young starter from the minors to jump in and take his place, and so far, it’s been awful.
Young lefty Justin Wrobleski allowed eight runs in five innings of work to the Washington Nationals. Righty Landon Knack allowed seven runs in 7.2 innings of work between two starts.
Next up would be Bobby Miller, who would also lay an egg in yesterday’s narrow 8-7 victory over the Colorado Rockies.
Despite the Dodgers giving Miller a 7-1 lead entering the top of the second inning, Miller would implode, allowing eight hits and six runs, including a five-run third inning after a grand slam off the bat of Michael Toglia.
Despite the righty punching out seven batters and allowing just one walk, the command and the inability to put hitters away when ahead in the count were Miller’s undoing, just as it was last season.
The slider and change-up were “non-competitive,” according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who was disappointed in the 26-year-old’s start.
“When you get a 7-1 lead, you have to be able to go deep in the game. You have to,” Roberts said. “Bobby just has to learn to navigate innings better.”
With the Dodgers having an off-day today and two days off next week (Monday, April 21st, and Thursday, April 24th), they will likely not need a spot starter, meaning Bobby Miller could be on his way back to OKC in the next few hours.
Right-handed pitcher Tony Gonsolin, who is currently in the middle of his rehab assignment, is set to appear one more time with Triple-A OKC and be stretched to the fifth inning until he’s activated.
Veteran lefty Clayton Kershaw began his minor league rehab assignment yesterday and is on pace to rejoin the rotation in late May. And lefty Blake Snell has thrown a baseball three straight days without pain and could rejoin the team in May.
Once these arms return, Miller will struggle to get another opportunity in the starting rotation unless it is due to another injury.
Miller’s next step is likely to continue working on his issues in the minor leagues. He could possibly be on the trade block, as despite his poor performance over the last year, the righty is under team control for the next five seasons.
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