The last time the Dodgers selected a first-round pick out of the University of Louisville was a catcher by the name of Will Smith in 2016. On Wednesday, they got a top-notch pitcher to complete the battery, so-to-speak.
With the 29th overall pick, the Dodgers chose Louisville starting pitcher Bobby Miller on the first day of the 2020 MLB Draft.
Miller, 21, is from Elk Grove Village, IL, stands at 6’5″, weighs 220 lbs, throws right-handed and bats left-handed. He entered the 2020 season as a full time starter after splitting his outings between the rotation and bullpen in 2018 and 2019. Scouts love his upper 90s fastball, which has some heavy sink to it, according to Baseball America. He also throws a nasty slider in the upper 80s that can reach 90 on occasion, a mid-80s changeup and a curveball.
One of Miller’s biggest highlights from last season came just over a year ago to the day on June 8. He had a no-hitter through eight innings of a Super Regional contest vs. East Carolina. He ended up giving up a hit in the ninth as Louisville won the game 12-0. Miller finished with the impressive line of 8.1 innings, 1 hit, 2 walks and 5 strikeouts.
Newest Dodger @BMilled15 with the 🔥 and emotion! pic.twitter.com/7DfZTjwubi
— Dodgers-LowDown (@DodgersLowDown) June 11, 2020
Over his three seasons pitching for the Cardinals, Miller made 41 appearances, started 25 games, went 15-2, 3. 28 ERA, struck out 175 batters, walked 68 and held opponents to a .199 batting average. In 2018, during his freshman year, he earned Freshman All America honors and was named to the ACC All Freshman Team.
Miller’s 2020 season started out promising: he made four starts going 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA over 23.1 innings, but the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
One thing that concerns scouts is Miller’s funky delivery, but he’s been able to prove he can go deep into games and display above-average command, according to Baseball America.
This is also not the first time Miller’s been drafted. He was selected out of high school by the Baltimore Orioles in the 38th round of the 2017 MLB draft, but obviously opted to go to Louisville.
Jake Reiner is a writer and contributor for Dodgers LowDown and a reporter for KCBS/KCAL. Follow him on twitter @Reiner_Jake
(Photo credit: University of Louisville Athletics)