Matt Miller

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #26 prospect in 2007
  Miller dislocated his shoulder in 2004 when he ran into the wall while playing for Tri- City, and aggravated it again in the Arizona Fall League last year. In between, he earned MVP honors in the South Atlantic League in 2005. Before the latest injury, Miller had taken a major step forward in his development. He was hitting .322 with four home runs in 59 AFL at-bats, which would have been a nice cap on a fine season that covered three levels. Miller began letting the ball come to him instead of getting started too quickly and improved his plate discipline, nearly doubling his walk rate of '05. He has legitimate power when he stays balanced, keeps his hands back and waits on his pitch. He has trouble with the ball up and in, trying to come over the top and smother it. While his bat is his best tool, Miller has some polish to his all-around game. He played a lot of center field in high Class A and made strides defensively, but he's better suited for one of the corners, most likely left field because of a below-average but accurate arm. He's a step below average as a runner, but he won't clog the bases. Miller heads back to Double-A, this time to start the season.
• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #30 prospect in 2006
  Asheville has produced the last two South Atlantic League MVPs. He isn't the top prospect that 2004 winner Ian Stewart is, but Miller chased the SAL triple crown in his first full season. He was helped by Asheville's McCormick Field, batting .366 with 20 homers in 65 home games, but he has legitimate hitting ability. After a dislocated right shoulder limited him in his pro debut, Miller soared in 2005 after refining his two-strike approach. He maintained his aggressiveness but didn't chase as many pitches and started using the whole field. He doesn't walk much, in part because he makes contact so easily. Miller has average speed and a strong arm, but he played mostly left field last year because he needs to improve his reads and routes on flyballs. The Rockies may skip him a level and send him to Double-A this year.

• December, 2006 Scouting Report
  Miller dislocated his shoulder in 2004 when he ran into the wall while playing for Tri- City, and aggravated it again in the Arizona Fall League last year. In between, he earned MVP honors in the South Atlantic League in 2005. Before the latest injury, Miller had taken a major step forward in his development. He was hitting .322 with four home runs in 59 AFL at-bats, which would have been a nice cap on a fine season that covered three levels. Miller began letting the ball come to him instead of getting started too quickly and improved his plate discipline, nearly doubling his walk rate of '05. He has legitimate power when he stays balanced, keeps his hands back and waits on his pitch. He has trouble with the ball up and in, trying to come over the top and smother it. While his bat is his best tool, Miller has some polish to his all-around game. He played a lot of center field in high Class A and made strides defensively, but he's better suited for one of the corners, most likely left field because of a below-average but accurate arm. He's a step below average as a runner, but he won't clog the bases. Miller heads back to Double-A, this time to start the season.