Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller said Tuesday that the team will discuss in the coming weeks whether Miller will remain in the bullpen or move into the starting rotation next season, 97.3 The Fan reports.
Miller has been a full-time reliever the last two seasons and has been arguably the best bullpen arm in the game during that span, collecting a 2.56 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 43.1 percent strikeout rate over 115 regular-season appearances. If the Padres elect to keep him in a relief role, he would likely take over as closer, as incumbent Robert Suarez is expected to exercise the opt-out clause in his contract and become a free agent. However, Miller has past experience as a starter and the club could try him in that role, particularly if it loses both Dylan Cease and Michael King in free agency.
Miller walked one and struck out three over 1.1 hitless and scoreless innings to earn the save in Friday's 7-4 win over the Diamondbacks.
Miller was brought in when Kyle Hart and David Morgan made a mess of the eighth inning, and he was able to get the last out. Miller was already the fifth reliever into the game for the Padres, and they kept him in to finish off the save rather than having Robert Suarez enter the contest. This was Miller's 22nd save of the season but just his second since joining the Padres at the trade deadline. He's pitched to a 0.81 ERA over 22.1 innings while racking up a 42:10 K:BB and 10 holds during his time in San Diego, giving the team an excellent one-two punch at the back end of the bullpen.
Miller earned a hold against the White Sox on Sunday, walking two batters and striking out one over a hitless and scoreless two-thirds of an inning.
Miller wasn't at his best in the outing, throwing just eight of 19 pitches for strikes. He entered with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh frame, so each of his two walks forced in a run, but he was able to escape the inning with the Padres still in the lead. Though this was far from his best performance, Miller extended to 18 his streak of scoreless appearances. The talented reliever has tossed 19 innings during that span, giving up just four hits while posting a sizzling 36:8 K:BB and recording nine holds with one save.
Miller earned a save against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, striking out three batters and walking one over one hitless and scoreless inning.
The Padres rallied for two runs in the top of the ninth frame to take their first lead, and Miller got the call to protect a one-run lead in the bottom of the inning. He issued a two-out walk but overpowered the other three batters he faced, striking them out on a combined nine pitches. Miller's first two outings with the Padres weren't great -- he allowed two runs on three hits over two frames -- but his dominance Wednesday emphasizes what a tremendous impact he could make on the team's already great bullpen. That said, Miller's fantasy value actually took a hit with his move to San Diego, as he probably isn't going to be the full-time closer given the presence of All-Star Robert Suarez. Though Miller closed Wednesday, that may have been at least partly due to Suarez tossing 1.2 frames one day earlier.
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