Los Angeles Dodgers rookie pitcher Bobby Miller, 24, had an impressive big league debut.
The right-hander pitched five innings of one-run ball, striking out five and walking one against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday (Sept. 24) at Truiste Park in Atlanta, Georgia.
Miller, the Dodgers’ No. 2 prospect and No. 19 overall in MLB.com’s prospect rankings, had struggled somewhat in Triple-A this season, going 1-1 with a 5.65 ERA in four games (14.1 innings), but the Dodgers called him up to the majors on short notice after a series of injuries sidelined key starters like Julio Urias and Dustin May.
In his debut, which came sooner than expected, Miller showed off his powerful stuff against an Atlanta offense that ranks third in the majors in team OPS (.788). He touched 100.4 miles per hour (161.6 kilometers per hour) on his fastball and attacked Atlanta hitters with a variety of pitches, including a slider, changeup, curveball, and sinker. MLB.com wrote, “Miller took the mound for the first time in the big leagues and displayed the competitive fire that everyone praised. He made quite the first impression, tossing five scoreless innings to lead the Dodgers to an 8-1 victory,” wrote MLB.com of Miller’s debut.
“It’s a great feeling,” Miller said. I was on fire. I mean, they had a great batting lineup. I had to throw with confidence on the field. A lot of guys don’t do that and they fall apart. They barreled a few pitches against me (balls over .500 with an expected on-base percentage of 1.500). I had a tough first inning, so I had to be more focused,” he said of his debut.안전놀이터
Miller, who made his big league debut with his parents watching from the stands, said he was “really nervous” for his debut, even though he took the mound with confidence. “I’m grateful that they called me up. They could have called up a lot of other guys. I’m really honored to be in the big leagues,” he said, adding that he enjoyed his first major league start.