Quinton Miller
| IP | 343 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 5.09 |
| WHIP | 1.531 |
| BB/9 | 4.015 |
| SO/9 | 6.481 |
- Full name Robert Quinton Miller
- Born 11/28/1989 in Indianapolis, IN
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Shawnee
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Drafted in the 20th round (594th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2008 (signed for $900,000).
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A shoulder impingement in his junior year made Miller tough for scouts to see last summer and fall, and his velocity has been up and down this spring. His injury history, slight build (he's generously listed at 6-foot-3) and a delivery that has some effort raise questions about his long-term durability, but at his best he's a top-three-rounds talent. Depending on what day you see him, Miller can show an average or better fastball in the low 90s that reaches 93-94, or he can work in the 86-90 range. The pitch is straight, though, and his arm slot is inconsistent. He flashes a plus hard slider and an average change. He is aggressive and has a good feel for pitching, though he still needs to refine his command. Unless a team makes a run at him in the first three rounds, Miller figures to wind up at North Carolina, where he should be a high-impact pitcher immediately.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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Another of the Pirates' several above-slot signings from the last two years, Miller slid to the 20th round of the 2008 because he was strongly committed to North Carolina. He signed for $900,000, a record for his round, and made his pro debut last season. He spent most of 2009 in low Class A, where he struggled early against older competition before going 1-0, 2.13 in his final six starts. Miller's fastball velocity is inconsistent, ranging from 86-94 mph, and he throws with a maximum-effort delivery. However, he made strides in refining his mechanics last year and continued to improve his quality slider. He's still trying to develop his changeup. Miller had shoulder problems in high school, which scared some teams away, but he showed no signs of arm problems in 2009. After his strong finish, he could push for a spot in high Class A with a good spring training. His raw ability makes him a potential No. 2 starter. -
Miller was regarded as a top-five-rounds talent heading into 2008 but was considered a difficult sign because of his commitment to North Carolina. When he fell to the 20th round, the Pirates took a shot and signed him for $900,000 right before the Aug. 15 deadline. Miller's fastball has been clocked as high as 95 mph, though it was generally in the 86-89 range during his senior high school season. The Pirates expect him to achieve more consistent velocity as his body fills out. His fastball is far ahead of his slider and changeup, but he has a good aptitude for pitching and gets high marks for his competitiveness. Pittsburgh believes his slider will become a plus pitch in time. Some scouts raise red flags, though, because they say Miller is a health risk. He missed part of his junior season with a shoulder impingement and has a high-stress, maximum-effort delivery, something the Pirates are working to tone down. He'll likely begin 2009 in extended spring training because he has yet to throw a pitch as a pro. He's a project, but the Pirates have few power arms in their system and are willing to wait for him to develop.
