Andrew Miller in the bigs

saw where Miller is being called up to the Detroit Tigers major league club, apparently for relief work out of bullpen.

 

Getting called up this season is something he insisted on in his contract in order to start his arbitration clock.

 

mgr.

Mgr. Leyland was quoted as saying that he wanted Miller in a Tiger uniform regardless of his contract terms.

 

That's a huge accomplishment. many didn't have him coming up the bigs till the beginning of 2008 or late 2007

 

Collin and ER are correct. It was part of his contract, but Leyland wants him up despite that. It will be interesting how he does.

I thought it was more interesting that the Rockies called up Iannetta, former UNC catcher...and went 1-4 with an RBI his 1st game.

 

He should do fine....there will be an adjustment period as the average Pro Hitter is much better than the College guys.

 

At that level, it's certainly true...but they have to adjust to him as well. My feeling is the 1st go around Miller will do fine. It's when they face him again that he will need to adjust. He has a filthy slider that is nearly unhittable to go with a moving 97 mph FB...and I mean that slider is unhittable at any level.

 

Leyland is doing what any good manager is doing and protecting his player in the media. There is no way that Miller is anything close to ready for the major leagues, and he certainly didn't earn a promotion. He pitched only 5 innings in the FSL before getting called up. Miller might have some value to the Tigers as a situational lefty (although Ledezma and Walker were already doing very well in that role), but you can bet he won't be used in any meaningful situations.

 

Now, Miller is certainly not average, but I heard Orel Hershieser say that the average ML pitcher throws 3-400 innings of minor league ball before he is ready...I suspect that Collin is correct. 5 innings is not near enough. Just ask Devine with the Braves. Poor kid had his confidence broken after a weekend of his first games

 

I think it's purely a psychological move on the part of the tigers. They are gonna show Miller what his mission through the minor leagues is- to get to the big leagues. This month will be an eye opener for sure. As he works hard to get to the big leagues for good over the next couple of years, he will always be able to look back to this time to remind himself what all the hard work and long bus rides are for. Let's not kid ourselves, he will spend the next two to three seasons in the minor leagues learning the pro game and developing the stamina it takes to last a full 162 game season. My guess is he will have 1 to 5 appearances and lose alot of meal money playing cards against some real sharks.