Originally posted by TRhit: Is this a good thing regarding the future?
Are we rushing this kids too much ?
I wonder sometimes
TR, Not really sure of the answer to that question. It was a stipulation in his contract, which he signed out of college. I didn't see him pitch, but the person who did, told me he looked pretty much like he belonged.
It's pretty obvious he would have made it regardless of whether he signed out of HS or three years later. He is one of the lucky ones who will have many, many great memories, no matter where life takes him!
Posts: 11036 | Location: South Florida | Registered: July 28, 2003
How old was Andre Aggassi, Chris Everet, Billie Jean King, Martina, the Williams sisters, Michelle Wie, Griffey Jr., Strawberry, Gooden, Becker and on and on and on and on and on and on. If you have talent you must use it while your young!
Posts: 448 | Location: TX | Registered: October 18, 2005
Miller actually pitched once already for the Tigers and had a shut out inning. Can't remember who it was against... will have to go look! I was more than impressed by this young man during the CWS. I think Detroit has a great one and I don't see them pushing him! He's too valuable to their org to mess around with! He'll be just fine!!!
Posts: 5389 | Location: Kentucky | Registered: December 30, 2004
It was against the Yankees in Yankee Stadium last week. My recollection: 4 batters faced, no hits, 2 ground outs, 1 lined out, 1 hit batsman (He WILL throw inside!), 17 pitches. His last out: Derek Jeter.
Posts: 676 | Location: Charlotte | Registered: December 29, 2002
Andrew Miller barring injury will have a great career. His name is often brought up as one who went to college and improved his draft position. Truth is that all 30 MLB clubs knew that Andrew was extremely serious about attending college. If signable he would have been a first round pick out of high school. We thought he should have been among the top 10 picks coming out of high school.
The word we got was that it would take at least 3 million to sign Miller in 2003. The only people who would know if that is factual would be Andrew and his family. But it was the word we got from scouts.
When we first heard about this, my first thought was, he wants 3 million? Give it to him… if anyone is worth it… He is! Anyway, in his case it all worked out for the best! He was/is a great kid with a ton of talent, but I think the years spent at UNC helped him tremendously. He had a chance to get stronger and more mentally prepared while getting three important years of a great education. Now he got the money and he’s already pitching in the Big Leagues.
Thinking back, trying to figure out just how Andrew ended up at one of our smaller events when an underclassmen in high school. He was a very skinny and tall kid who touched 90 mph at the time. He got well known in a hurry.
A week later at our National Showcase at Tropicana Field I was setting with Dan Jennings and the scout that picks the team for East Coast Pro. Miller came in to pitch and was even better (low 90s). I looked at those guys and saw that both were grinning. I said, “What do you think, does he project at all?” They both busted out laughing. Seeing a special player for the first time is kind of exciting. It can turn grown men into giggling children. It’s a high that scouts and college recruiters live for!!!
We saw him several times over the next couple years after that and he just kept getting better and better. His last event with us was in the winter before his senior year. He topped out at 96 mph with a mid 80s breaking ball! Obviously much better than a third round lefty!
It sure is great to see someone have their cake and eat it too! In his case… someone sure made some good decisions. I forget who his agent is, but he should be congratulated, too!
Before anyone takes this the wrong way… We had nothing to do with Andrew Miller having all that talent. Sooner or later, someone was going to find a 6’6” lefty from Florida throwing in the 90s. We are just very thankful we got the chance to watch it all happen! And we’re very happy looking at the results so far.
By the way, another young guy got his first Big League at bats yesterday in Fenway Park. Ryan Sweeney got 2 of the 4 White Sox hits in a 1-0 lose to Boston.
Posts: 5015 | Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Registered: December 27, 2002
