Brad Miller

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #9 prospect in 2013
  The 2011 Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year, Miller went in the second round that June and signed for $750,000. He hasn't batted lower than .320 at any of his three pro stops, reaching Double-A and ranking second in the minors with 186 hits in his first full pro season. Miller long has drawn comparisons to Craig Counsell, mostly because of his similar stance at the plate. Miller does start with his hands high, but isn't as unorthodox as Counsell and has a simple load and quick swing. He uses a contact-oriented approach, letting his hands work and shooting balls from gap to gap. He hits towering home runs in batting practice and could have close to average power. Miller always has been an erratic defender, and his 36 miscues ranked 10th in the minors in 2012. He has smooth actions and good footwork at shortstop, but his inconsistent arm slots result in errant throws. He has average range and arm strength that may be a better fit at second base. He has solid speed and runs the bases well. Miller's feel for hitting, leadership and desire can make him an everyday player in the majors. He's similar to Kyle Seager but offers more defensive versatility. Miller likely will return to Double-A with the chance for another midseason promotion.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #11 prospect in 2012
  While many college hitters saw their stats decline when the NCAA switched to lesslively bats in 2011, Miller put together his best season at Clemson, hitting .395/.498/.559 to win Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year honors. A two-time member of the U.S. college national team, he went 62nd overall in the draft and signed for $750,000. Miller is a hard-nosed player who always has a plan at the plate. He has an unconventional set-up with his hands held above his head, though not as extreme as Craig Counsell. Once Miller's swing gets going, however, his hands get into a good launch position and his barrel stays in the hitting zone for a long time. He consistently squares up lefties and righties alike and sprays the ball to all parts of the park. He batted .415 when he joined Clinton for 14 games at the end of the season. He'll never be confused for a slugger, but does have enough power to hit 30 doubles and 10 homers annually. Miller has a tick above-average speed and it plays up because he's instinctive and runs the bases well. He struggles defensively at times and had to move to DH in 2010, when he made 31 errors. His footwork isn't always fluid and at times he drops his elbow on throws, causing the ball to tail away from the first baseman. However, his makeup and work ethic give him a chance to remain at shortstop. If not, he should be able to shift to second base, and at worst he's a utility infielder with a lefthanded bat. He'll spend his first full pro season in high Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Southern League #13 prospect in 2013
  Miller finished his first full pro season in the SL, and scouts who saw Miller in Jackson this season differed in their evaluations of the lefty-hitting shortstop?s ceiling. Seattle summoned him to the big leagues at the end of June, pushing aside light-hitting regular Brendan Ryan, after Miller hit .319/.399/.521 with 12 home runs in a combined 68 games at Jackson and Triple-A Tacoma. Strong instincts help Miller get the most of his average defensive range and solid, accurate arm. He also has experience at second and third base if the Mariners must find him a new position. Miller begins his swing with still hands and his bat held high?he?s been evoking comparisons with Craig Counsell since his days at Clemson?though he whips the bat through the zone with enough force to produce a dozen home runs annually. He makes enough line-drive contact to regularly hit .260 or better. Some scouts see Miller as a platoon player because his wide hitting base and hand positioning leaves him susceptible to be front-footed by southpaws. He runs well but to this point has been a low-volume, inefficient basestealer.
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  Ranked California League #18 prospect in 2012
  Miller earned renown around the league for his discipline and toughness at the plate. Though scouts have concerns about a bat wrap in his swing, he has outstanding bat-on-ball ability and spraying line drives all over the field. He seldom swings at balls outside the strike zone and is unafraid to go deep in counts, perpetually taxing pitchers. Though Miller did much of his slugging at home--which is typical for High Desert hitters--he has a strong, wiry frame that could produce close to average power in time. "He can drive the ball the other way. He can pull the ball. You think you make a pretty good pitch on him and he's barreling the ball up and still driving it," Wooten said. "He just has a solid approach." Errors have plagued Miller going back to his college days and he made 31 in 97 Cal League games (though 22 did come at High Desert, which has a notoriously poor playing surface). He has plus speed and range and gets to balls some shortstops don't, but he also has to do a better job of reading hops and getting in the right position. An inconsistent release point at times negates his adequate arm strength.
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  Ranked Southern League #14 prospect in 2012
  The 2011 Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year, Miller hit .334/.410/.512 with 15 homers in his first full pro season, finishing with six strong weeks in Double-A. Slender but wiry strong, he holds his hands unusually high in his stance but make consistent hard contact thanks to his uncanny hand-eye coordination and bat-to-ball skills. With his polished approach, line-drive stroke, gap power and plus speed, he's a potential leadoff candidate. Miller's shortstop defense was erratic in college and remains so as a pro, though he made just five miscues in 37 games with Jackson. His throwing mechanics and confidence tend to wavers, but he has the solid range and arm strength to be at least an average defender at shortstop. His work ethic and feel for the game could make him an everyday player in the mold of Adam Kennedy.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: The 2011 Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year, Miller went in the second round that June and signed for $750,000. He hasn't batted lower than .320 at any of his four pro stops, reaching Double-A and ranking second in the minors with 186 hits in his first full pro season. Scouting Report: Miller long has drawn comparisons to Craig Counsell, mostly because of his similar stance at the plate. Miller does start with his hands high, but isn't as unorthodox and has a simple load and quick swing. He uses a contact-oriented approach, letting his hands work and shooting balls from gap to gap. He hits towering home runs in batting practice and could have close to average power. Miller always has been an erratic defender, and his 36 miscues ranked 10th in the minors in 2012. He has smooth actions and good footwork at shortstop, but his inconsistent arm slots results in errant throws. He has average range and arm strength that may be a better fit at second base. He has solid speed and runs the bases well. The Future: Miller's feel for hitting, leadership and desire can make him an everyday player in the majors. He's similar to Kyle Seager but offers more defensive versatility. Miller likely will return to Double-A with the chance for another midseason promotion.