Greg Miller

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Houston Astros #19 prospect in 2003
  The Astros system is light on lefthanded starters, with only Jeriome Robertson, Miller and Eny Cabreja sticking out on their full-season clubs in 2002. Miller had been Houston's most advanced southpaw starter, but Robertson has passed him after Miller lost significant time the last two seasons. Bothered by shoulder tendinitis and a strained lower back in 2001, he had arthroscopic shoulder surgery that October to address a bone spur underneath his labrum. He began 2002 in extended spring and didn't make it to Double-A until mid-June. He regained his form by August, pitching at 88-92 mph with his fastball and doing a fine job of changing speeds with his effective curveball. His changeup was working as well, and he threw occasional sliders. He's one of several pitchers who benefited from working with former Round Rock pitching coach Mike Maddux. Miller isn't overpowering, but he throws strikes and keeps hitters off balance. He had a mild setback when he left the Venezuelan League because his back flared up, though the Astros think homesickness may have played a part in his decision. He'll head to Triple-A and hope to turn in a full season in 2003.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #16 prospect in 2002
  The Astros scouting department deserves credit for getting Miller from the Red Sox as the second player in the Carl Everett trade. He was steaming through the Houston system before nagging injuries sidelined him for much of 2001. Mild shoulder tendinitis kept him out until mid-April, and a strained lower-back muscle in early May cost him 10 weeks. His shoulder flared up again in the Arizona Fall League, requiring arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur under his labrum. Miller doesn't have a dominant pitch, but he can throw strikes with an 89-93 mph fastball, curveball, slider and changeup. He aggressively works inside with his fastball and also can paint the outside corner with it. He gets righthanders out by pounding them with breaking balls down and in. He has better command then he showed last year, when he tried to pitch through his physical problems. Miller should be fully healthy in 2002, when he'll return to the Double-A rotation.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #7 prospect in 2001
  Adam Everett was the bigger name in the Carl Everett trade, but the Astros did their homework and got Miller as well. An all-state basketball player at his Illinois high school, he spent two years in Rookie ball before beginning his ascent through the minors. He made four appearances in the Texas League playoffs last year without allowing an earned run. Miller has a tremendous pitcher's body and is creative on the mound. He mixes four pitches, all of which are at least average, and throws them for strikes. He has an 89-93 mph fastball, a vastly improved curveball, a changeup and a slider. Unlike a lot of lefties with not-quite-dominating stuff, he doesn't have any problems getting righthanders out. Because he lacks a consistently plus pitch, Miller might have trouble with more advanced hitters. Then again, with his feel for pitching, he might not. His arm action is a little bit long, so he's not as deceptive as he could be, though he counters by hiding the ball with his delivery. Miller will return to Double-A in 2001, this time back in his familiar role as a starter. The Astros love his makeup and don't foresee him having any difficulty making the jump.