BA Grade:

55/High

Track Record: Miller posted an ERA above 7.00 each of his first two seasons at Division III Waynesburg (Pa.) and walked more batters than he struck out as a sophomore while pitching with a nondescript mid-80s fastball. Of more concern, he struggled to keep on weight, losing 20 pounds during that time. It wasn’t until Miller underwent a routine blood test--required by a potential summer internship--that doctors flagged an issue, ultimately identified as Type 1 diabetes. The discovery changed his career. Miller retooled his diet and steadily added physicality, leading to more effectiveness on the mound. He transferred to Gardner-Webb as a fifth-year senior in 2021 and struck out 121 batters in 92.2 innings. Oakland signed him for $599,100 as a third-round selection that year and was immediately impressed. Injuries, though, have led to an unusual development arc. Miller has thrown just 39.1 minor league innings. He missed nearly all of 2022 with a right rotator cuff strain, returning in August and subsequently shining in the Arizona Fall League. He made such an impression on the Athletics’ big league staff at 2023 spring training that Oakland fast-tracked him to the majors, where he debuted in late April and posted a 3.78 ERA in 33.1 innings. He also missed three months between May and September with a right UCL sprain.

Scouting Report: When healthy, Miller flashes a dazzling arsenal that misses plenty of barrels. The righthander has a prototypical starter’s build and a four-seam fastball that averaged 98.3 mph and touched 102 in the majors. The pitch possesses above-average carry and elicits whiffs at the top of the strike zone. Big league hitters batted just .186 against Miller’s heater, and minor leaguers whiffed on the pitch 46% of the time within the strike zone. They had an even tougher time dealing with his plus slider. The mid-80s offering has sweep and depth, racking up a 47% whiff rate in his truncated big league showing. Mason reintroduced his mid-90s cutter in 2023 after shelving the pitch during his rehab a year prior, using it primarily against lefties. He also sparingly flashes a low-90s changeup. Miller has solid command and throws more than enough strikes to remain in a starting role--that is, if his body holds up. Miller explodes down the mound with force and has a short, quick arm path. His mechanics are fairly sound, but the A’s believe there are some slight biomechanical improvements, such as staying better stacked and on line as he gets down the mound, that he can make to his delivery and finish to marginally aid his durability.

The Future: While Miller’s stuff belongs near the front of a rotation, the A’s are debating internally whether he’s better suited for shorter stints given the arm issues. General manager David Forst indicated at the Winter Meetings--at least for 2024--that Miller will likely serve as a reliever. n

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Cutter: 60 | Control: 50