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Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Ryan Miller

Ryan Miller - Left-handed Pitcher
Age: 21 Height: 6'0" Weight: 195 Bats: Left Throws: Left

WLERAGGSSVIPHERHRBBKBB9K9WHIP
2007 GCL/Mahoning443.831212049.33521220473.658.581.12
Career443.831212049.33521220473.658.581.12

Photo courtesy of Blinn College (TX) Athletic DepartmentHistory: The Indians selected Miller in the 36th round of the 2006 Draft out of Blinn College (TX). Miller was a draft and follow player and had a commitment to pitch for and attend the University of Arkansas in the fall of 2007, but chose to sign with the Indians in May 2007. As a freshman at Blinn College, Miller went 6-3 with a 3.01 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 68.2 innings in 2006, and as a sophomore in 2007 went 9-0 with a 2.05 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 85.1 innings (15 starts).

Strengths & Opportunities: Miller's professional career got off to a rocky start in at Mahoning Valley, going 0-2 with an 18.69 ERA in three starts to start last season. The Indians quickly reassigned him to the Gulf Coast League (GCL) in early July and he seemed to settle in better and pitch with more confidence as he dominated GCL hitters. In nine starts, Miller went 4-2 with a 2.40 ERA and a .160 batting average against (BAA) with 44 strikeouts in 45 innings.

Miller will not blow you away as his fastball sits around 87-91 MPH, but he has a deep mix of pitches in that he also throws a curveball, slider, and changeup. His curveball is his best secondary pitch, has good traditional 12-6 break, and he commands it well to where the Indians feel that Miller's curveball will be a good serviceable major league pitch in the future. His power slider has less break, but it is quicker and more of a pitch he uses to backdoor right-handers and to attack left-handers.

Miller's velocity changed throughout the season last year and did not remain consistent, although it could have been the result of pitching so many innings in college in the spring (85+ innings). He needs to continue to get stronger and work on his fastball command as he walked a lot of batters in college (45 in 85 innings last year). Miller's changeup is a work in progress, and he will continue to get a lot of work in developing the pitch to see where it goes.

Outlook: Miller is yet more good young left-handed pitching depth in the system, and he made a solid debut last year. He will try to use his success from last season as a springboard going into his first full season with the Indians organization this coming year, and likely will open the season in the Lake County rotation.