Erik Miller
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| Photo by Photo Pool- USA Today Network |
Bio:
Age: 24
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 240 lbs.
Bats/Throws: Left/Left
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Draft Profile: 4th Round, 120th pick of 2019 draft by Philadelphia
Drafted Out of: Stanford University
Career Stat Line: 72.1 IP 2-0 W/L 1.49 ERA 98:38 K:BB .182 AVG. 1.18 WHIP
Having the honor of being the first Chopping Lines spotlight to fall on a college-drafted player, we have Erik Miller. Miller played his high school ball at De Smet Jesuit in St. Louis. After a rocky sophomore season, he came into his own during his junior and senior campaigns- finishing his career as the #1 rated player in Missouri. With a combined 8-5 record in 19 starts, 3.39 ERA and a 1.54 K/inning ratio, on top of being a highly reputable scholar (Phuture Phillies), the Spartans captain earned himself a scholarship to Stanford University in 2016.
Utilizing a three pitch arsenal featuring a fastball that capped out around 89, a biting curveball and a developing change-up (Perfect Game), Erik posted a 5-2 record and 3.65 ERA as a Cardinal freshman. His strikeouts per inning dipped from his high school numbers to about 0.55/1, but he was effective nonetheless. During his sophomore season, a slight ERA increase to 4.04 was balanced by a doubled K/inning ratio, suggesting strengthened command and movement of his three pitches. Miller's third and final season at Stanford his best, throwing a personal high for innings while compiling an 8-3 record and 3.48 ERA (Go Stanford). Strong performances earned him the moniker "Miller Time" when on the bump.
The Philadelphia Phillies ultimately were the team most enamored with the young lefty, drafting him with the 120th pick in the fourth round of the 2019 draft. The Missouri native stormed through the short season with a 1.50 ERA in 36 innings across three minor league levels. It was evident he was on track to be a fast riser through a weak Philadelphia farm system.
Then the pandemic... a theme I'll try not to harp too much on during these spotlights. Miller was not selected to the Phillies' taxi squad during this time, needing to take his work into his own hands. When 2021 rolled around, the 6'5" hurler again posted strong numbers, to the tune of a 1.42 ERA. However, an unfortunate rotator cuff strain limited his availability to only 12.1 innings.
Erik has been healthy during this 2022 season at AA Reading and is continuing to show the Philadelphia organization why he is a potential piece for the future. His slider, a fourth reliable pitch, and changeup have become consistently effective pitches to help counteract his lack of high end velocity. These sharpened pitches have helped the fourth year minor leaguer to a 1.52 ERA and 1.35 strikeouts per inning over thirteen appearances so far this year. Impressively, he has still not surrendered a home run through his entire career.
It seems that Miller's path to the big show is pretty clearly before him. 6'5" lefties with solid command don't grow on trees, and the Phillies currently are thin on arms on the farm and major league level. The team did respond strongly to the the firing of manager Joe Girardi earlier this month, winning nine straight to claw back into range to contend for the playoffs, but the bullpen remained in the bottom half of the league in ERA.
I didn't personally foresee this year being the season we'd get to experience Miller Time at Citizens Bank Park, but after being added to the Development List on June 9th, it seems that his professional debut may not be too far down the road. Keep an eye out for Erik in the pen as Philadelphia continues to try and infuse their roster with the best players in the organization and earn a postseason bid.
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@Choppinglines
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