Zach Miner
| IP | 385 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.255 |
| WHIP | 1.481 |
| BB/9 | 3.787 |
| SO/9 | 5.54 |
- Full name Zachary Charles Miner
- Born 03/12/1982 in St. Louis, MO
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Palm Beach Gardens
- Debut 06/04/2006
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Drafted in the 4th round (106th overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2000.
View Draft Report
Projected as a solid first-round pick at the start of the year, Miner threw well at times with a fastball in the 89-93 range, and his prototypical pitcher's body may enable him to hit 95-96 mph one day. He has committed to Miami.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Miner has as much natural ability as any pitcher in the organization. He ranked as high as No. 7 on this list after the Braves bought him out of a commitment to the University of Miami with a $1.2 million bonus. But he has fared progressively worse as he has moved up the minor league ladder, and he won just one of his final 10 starts in Double-A last year. Miner needs to quit playing keep-away from hitters. He possesses a solid slider with sharp bite and good sinking movement on his low-90s fastball, but he's constantly behind in the count because he tries to be too fine with his offerings. That also leads to high pitch counts, the main reason he never went past seven innings in a start last season. More aggressiveness and more depth with his changeup would work wonders for him. He showed promise while pitching in the Arizona Fall League. Regardless of his future role, Miner must start challenging hitters this year when he returns to Double-A. -
Miner's stock fell as much as that of any prospect in the organization last year. Despite his obvious abilities, he was reluctant to challenge hitters in high Class A. Some Atlanta coaches say Miner suffers from aluminum-bat syndrome and is nervous about hitters making solid contact, which causes him to live on the outside half of the plate. The Braves would like to see a little more toughness from Miner, especially when it comes to grinding out victories and working through trouble in the middle innings. On the plus side, Miner has a good feel for pitching. He has an easy delivery that produces low-90s fastballs with good sink. His changeup and slider are decent offerings and he has the promise of becoming a solid three-pitch pitcher. While Miner has increased his strength over the past two years, the Braves want him to continue to do so in order to go deeper into games. If he can do that while regaining his aggressiveness, Miner could reclaim his status as one of the system's top pitching prospects. -
Miner quietly put together one of the strongest seasons in the organization last year, a fact disguised somewhat by his 8-9 record. Considered a first-round talent in 2000, Minor lasted until the fourth round because of signability questions surrounding his commitment to the University of Miami. He signed for a $1.2 million bonus and has lived up to projections. He has a mature approach to pitching along with quality stuff that's continuing to develop along with his body. Miner has an easy and smooth delivery that produces 90-91 mph sinkers. He also throws a solid slider and a good changeup that made significant improvement in 2002. Miner also mirrors other pitchers in the organization with his burning competitiveness and unwillingness to give in to hitters. His greatest need is to add strength, which will make his overall stuff that much better. Miner was gassed at the end of last season and got in trouble when he left pitches up in the strike zone. The Braves believe those adjustments will take place naturally as Miner heads to high Class A this year. -
A potential 2000 first-round pick who lasted until the fourth round because of signability questions, Miner signed for $1.2 million just before reporting to class at Miami. Making his pro debut in 2001, he led the New York-Penn League in innings and placed fifth in ERA. The Braves were thrilled with how well he performed against older and more experienced hitters. Atlanta officials are most impressed with Miner's knowledge of how to pitch despite his limited pro experience. A sinker-slider pitcher, he'll have better overall stuff as his body matures. His hard sinker clocks in the 89-91 mph range and he has command of all of his pitches. He's one of the fiercest competitors in the system. The Braves are looking for more consistency from Miner, particularly with his breaking ball. He tends to get lackadaisical at times and leave his pitches up in the strike zone. Otherwise, experience and fine-tuning should keep him on the right track. Miner looked so impressive with Jamestown that he could skip Macon and open 2002 at Myrtle Beach. Wherever he goes, he'll be looked upon as one of the leaders of the rotation. -
Had Adam Wainwright been selected prior to the 29th overall pick in last year's draft, the Braves would have taken Miner in the first round. Several other teams also deemed Miner first-round material, with more than a few trying to work out predraft deals with agent Scott Boras. Atlanta showed how much it wanted Miner by signing him for $1.2 million on the day he was to begin classes at the University of Miami. Miner displayed an impressive knowledge of how to pitch in instructional league. He has an 88-90 mph fastball with good movement, and should add some velocity as his body fills out. His curveball and changeup also are advanced for a high school pitcher. He impressed the organization's coaching staff with his command of all three pitches, especially after missing the entire summer. Miner tries to do too much with his pitches at times, and needs to use his fastball more often at the expense of his changeup. The Braves feel the greatest challenge awaiting him is the mental and physical drain he'll experience during his first full season in the pro ranks this year at Class A Macon. If he proves capable of handling it, his ceiling could be considered unlimited.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Miner was regarded as a potential first-round pick prior to his senior season at Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.) High in 2000, but teams were scared off by his commitment to the University of Miami. The Braves took a fourth-round flier and landed him that September for $1.2 million, the largest bonus they have given to a player not drafted in the first round. Miner, who finished fifth in the league in ERA while holding opponents to a .226 average this summer, earns high praise for his intelligence and poise. He's aggressive in the strike zone with his hard, sinking fastball, which he throws at 90-91 mph. "He has good control, but his breaking ball needs to get better," Jamestown manager Jim Saul said. "He has a good changeup and spots his fastball. He really challenges hitters."
