21 June 2016

Shelby Miller Doesn't Suck

Psst. Wanna buy a pitcher cheap? Have I got a deal for you.

Take this Shelby Miller. He's a bargain. 


What? Yeah, I know he's 2-6, 6.36. Yeah, he's lasted just 52 innings in 11 starts and allowed 61 hits and 30 walks. Right, right, that's dreadful. Heck, it isn't even replacement level.

That's why he's a bargain.

No, really. Look at this. In his first 10 starts he was beyond awful. That grotesque motion had him so flexed he was scraping the mound with his pitching hand on the follow-through. He was literally a knuckle-scraper.

The D-backs sent him to the Minors to tweak his motion. He made two starts. Walked one and fanned 19. Gave up one run in 12 innings.

Sure, sure, that's 19-year-olds. 

Then he faced the semi-Major League Phillies at Citizens Bank Ballpark. He didn't touch the mound once -- at least not with his hand. (You might want to check the bottom of his spikes.)

He went seven frames and allowed a run on five hits. Walked one and struck out five.

Okay, maybe he's still not Clayton Kershaw. Who is? But he's a decent pitcher. Lifetime 3.47 ERA in 107 starts gotta count for something, yeah?

Look out for this guy. He's gonna make another 15 starts and lower that ERA below 4 before the season's over, you wait.

Don't say I didn't warn ya.

No comments: