The Pirates are set to audition another pitcher this week in Chicago, as a source told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette they intend to promote right-hander Shelby Miller before Tuesday’s game against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.
A 30-year-old first-round pick of the Cardinals in 2009, Miller has been enjoying a terrific month with Class AAA Indianapolis, allowing no runs in 8⅓ innings over six relief appearances, recording an .071 batting average against and 0.36 WHIP.
Overall, Miller is 2-1 this season with a 3.86 ERA in 10 games, including one start. He has struck out 22 and walked three in 14 innings, while opposing hitters have hit .189 against him.
The Pirates signed Miller to a minor league deal July 1. He went on the seven-day injured list July 25 and returned Aug. 12.
Miller isn’t your run of the mill minor league pitcher who’s randomly stumbled upon a good month. He has pedigree, although not much of a recent track record of success.
The pitcher was considered St. Louis’ top prospect — per Baseball America — from 2009-11. In 2010, Miller became the Cardinals’ minor league pitcher of the year.
Miller made his MLB debut at age 21 in 2012 and went 15-9 with a 3.06 ERA in 173⅓ innings the following season, striking out 169 and finishing third in NL rookie of the year voting.
A trade to Atlanta followed the 2014 campaign, and Miller blossomed into an All-Star in 2015, pitching to a 3.02 ERA across 33 starts and striking out a carer-high 171.
That’s when injuries started to catch up with Miller, after a trade to the Diamondbacks in 2015. A sprained right index finger preceded Tommy John surgery in April 2017. More elbow inflammation came in June 2018.
Miller has spent the past couple of years trying to recapture that success, including an MLB stint earlier this season with the Cubs, but it has not yet happened.
He has, however, pitched well in Class AAA. In 10⅓ innings for the Iowa Cubs, Miller allowed just two earned runs with 15 strikeouts and six walks.
The move is also interesting because of a corresponding transaction.
The Pirates have an open spot on their 40-man roster, so that’s not an issue. More important are Michael Chavis (right elbow) and Ke’Bryan Hayes (right hand), who exited games over the weekend.
Manager Derek Shelton did not have an update on either one when he spoke with the media over Zoom on Monday afternoon. It’s conceivable one could be headed for the injured list, or the Pirates could simply swap out pitchers.
Jason Mackey: jmackey@post-gazette.com and Twitter @JMackeyPG.
First Published: August 30, 2021, 10:43 p.m.
