Justin Miller

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #12 prospect in 2002
  Miller came to the Blue Jays in the Billy Koch trade after being a favorite of new Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi when both were in the Athletics organization. After an impressive 2000 campaign, Miller endured a difficult 2001 season, constantly falling behind hitters and struggling for consistency with his big slider. He also lost command of his fastball. He was more impressive in his first half dozen games in the Dominican Winter League than he had been during the regular season. When the pieces come together, Miller is a power pitcher with a 96-mph four-seam fastball, a two-seam sinker, the slider and a hard splitter. He needs an offspeed pitch to contrast with his hard stuff, and his power pitches make him a candidate to be a setup man in Toronto's reconstructed bullpen. Originally drafted by the Rockies, Miller missed most of 1999 with elbow tendinitis but has been an innings-eater since. That durability means he probably will get another chance as a Triple-A starter to rediscover his command and develop his changeup.
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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #5 prospect in 2001
  Miller had a strong 1998 season in the Rockies system, then missed most of 1999 with elbow tendinitis. He was considered a minor part of the four-team trade in which the Athletics dispatched big league righthander Jimmy Haynes to the Brewers. But the A's may be the big winners. Miller throws two-seam and four-seam fastballs, and the latter is capable of reaching 96 mph. He has a big-breaking slider that is tough on righthanders, as well as a hard splitter. He can use all his pitches to get outs. Miller came out of junior college and has just 409 pro innings, so he needs more experience against quality hitters and needs to be more consistent with his pitches. His changeup requires the most work, as he could use something offspeed with his hard stuff. Miller is ticketed for at least a half-season in Triple-A, where he pitched well last season. If the A's need a starter at midseason, he'll be a prime candidate. His collection of tattoos will fit in well in a clubhouse presided over by Jason Giambi.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Pacific Coast League #12 prospect in 2000
  The Athletics were bit players in a four-team trade at the 1999 Winter Meetings, giving up righthander Jimmy Haynes to the Brewers to help facilitate the trade that sent Vinny Castilla to the Devil Rays and Jeff Cirillo to the Rockies. In return, Oakland got Miller and cash from Colorado. Elbow tendinitis limited Miller to eight starts in 1999, so his inclusion barely registered on the baseball radar. It has now. Promoted from Double-A in July, Miller gave up five runs in his first Triple-A outing and then never yielded more than three in any of his last eight starts. He does a fine job of locating four quality pitches: a fastball that can reach 94 mph and has lots of sinking action, a splitter, a slider and a changeup. The change probably needs the most work, but Miller throws it with good arm speed and it’s an average pitch. In the last two years, Oakland has introduced young stars Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito into its major league rotation. Next year, it’ll need to find a place for Miller.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #84 prospect in 2001

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  The Athletics were bit players in a four-team trade at the 1999 Winter Meetings, giving up righthander Jimmy Haynes to the Brewers to help facilitate the trade that sent Vinny Castilla to the Devil Rays and Jeff Cirillo to the Rockies. In return, Oakland got Miller and cash from Colorado. Elbow tendinitis limited Miller to eight starts in 1999, so his inclusion barely registered on the baseball radar. It has now. Promoted from Double-A in July, Miller gave up five runs in his first Triple-A outing and then never yielded more than three in any of his last eight starts. He does a fine job of locating four quality pitches: a fastball that can reach 94 mph and has lots of sinking action, a splitter, a slider and a changeup. The change probably needs the most work, but Miller throws it with good arm speed and it’s an average pitch. In the last two years, Oakland has introduced young stars Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito into its major league rotation. Next year, it’ll need to find a place for Miller.