Miller Fits The “Is-Who-He-Is” Argument
July 5th, 2016
The Rays won’t be asking the baseball gods for a refund anytime soon on shortstop Brad Miller.
An offseason newcomer, Miller was one of yesterday’s heroes in a long overdue Rays win against the Angels. After a brutal start to his Rays’ career, Miller has settled in.
He pretty much looks exactly like the guy the Rays thought they were getting from Seattle: very average defense and solid hitting. Bumbling Miller in the field this spring has transformed into an OK fielder. Overall, Miller has shown surprising pop, with 12 bombs and 13 doubles, as his average climbed to .248 after yesterday’s two-hit, two-RBI game. That .248 is also Miller’s career average. What a surprise!
The old baseball adage of “he is who he is” applies to Miller. But is that something to be celebrated, the Rays adding an average shortstop who turns 27 in October?
There’s another half-season of baseball left, and continuing at this rate will get Miller a big raise in arbitration next year.
Miller’s overall development is something to keep an eye on as 2016 closes out. Miller didn’t seem to fit the Rays’ mold when he arrived, and Joe suspects a solid finish could get him moved in the offseason for a decent return.
July 5th, 2016 at 3:52 pm
Back up the Truck ! Everything’s on Sale ! Including the Front Office Morons !
July 6th, 2016 at 12:44 am
The Rays are to the point where they are celebrating getting an average SS in the Karns trade from Seattle. But at least the guy gives 100%. Just read a post from Tomkin of the Times that Souza was pulled from tonight’s game for lack of hustle on a misplayed fly ball. great and the guy was 2 for 2 with a triple and was replaced by Guyer. Looks like the skipper finally putting his foot down on sloppy play, too bad he did not start this in April….
July 6th, 2016 at 1:06 am
Tonight’s game: predictable Kevin Cash: the rays get to Timmy Lincecum and chase him. Odo goes into the 6th up 5-4 with 90 or so pitches thrown and promptly gives up 3 hits to fall behind 6-5 with nobody out and Cash leaving him in the game to pad the Halos’ lead… Another typical night at the Trop…..
July 6th, 2016 at 5:22 pm
I hold my breath every time a ball is hit to Brad Miller. Both on the catch and on the throw.
July 7th, 2016 at 10:04 am
Darth, would it not be nice to have Nate Karns in the rotation about now???? Rays gave him up for LoMo and Miller, amd although Karns has had probs in Seattle he is a much better starter than Smyly who should be AAA’d to Durham! That kid Mike Montgomery (came with Odorizzi from KC) who the Rays let go to Seattle as well could also be a better starter than Smyly and he has contributed for the M’s as well…. Of course it seems like every game caught by Casali or Conger is an adventure; do the Rays even look at how these 2 call a game as there is such a big fall off in the quality of all 5 starters over what we saw in the past leading me to believe that these two catchers are setting up their pitchers to lose!