The Atlanta Braves are looking for a dominant reliever to plug into the back end of their rotation. Could the transformed starter be that guy?
The Atlanta Braves are looking for a veteran reliever to move into a shutdown role for the team in 2019, whether acquired via trade or free agency. Could the player that teams are now basing new reliever strategy on, Andrew Miller, be a good fit for the Braves?
Player Profile
Originally a highly-regarded pitcher coming out of Florida high school, Andrew Miller was drafted in the 3rd round by the Tampa Bay Rays. He chose instead to attend the University of North Carolina, where he made himself into one of the top prospects in the country in 2006, going 6th overall to the Detroit Tigers.
After just a year in the Tigers organization, including just short of 75 major league innings already, Miller was a key part of the prospect package that the Marlins received for Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis. The Marlins attempted to plug Miller directly into their rotation, but after a 5.87 ERA in 2008 and not much better in 2009, he found his way to the minor leagues.
The Marlins continued to attempt to work with Miller as a starter until they traded him to the Boston Red Sox in the 2010/2011 offseason. The Red Sox tried him as a starter for one season before moving him into the bullpen. His success was nearly immediate. The Red Sox moved Miller to the Orioles as a playoff push piece in 2014, and he was dominant for the O’s, posting a 1.35 ERA over 20 innings, with a 4/34 BB/K ratio.
Miller hit free agency for the first time after the 2014 season.