Bobby Miller is opening eyes in the AFL

Miller was drafted in the 2020 first round out of Louisville

Bobby Miller has been impressive in his first professional year for the Dodgers after the team took him in the first round of the 2020 draft (29th overall). After a pair of relief outings in the Arizona Fall League over the past two weeks, Miller made his first start Thursday for the Glendale Desert Dogs.

The right-hander allowed a run on two hits and a walk in the first inning but that was it in three innings. Miller would retire the last seven he faced, striking out three.

Miller spoke to Jim Callis for MLB Pipeline after the game: “I’m focusing a lot on my curveball right now. The curveball was a little iffy in college, not as good as a shape as it has now. I changed my grip back to generic with my fingers together rather than spiking it, and it got a lot better.”

Callis pointed out that the AFL is giving Miller an opportunity for more innings after only 56 ¹⁄₃ during the regular season in 17 outings. The Dodgers were careful with Miller after they shut him down in late July with an oblique strain. The 22-year-old missed all of August and only pitched 12 innings in the final four appearances in September.

Keith Law of The Athletic is also high on Miller, saying the Dodgers have found another top-of-the-rotation starter.

Here is video from an appearance earlier in the month:

James Outman managed a hit in all three games he played this week, combining to go 3-for-12 with two singles and his third homer in the AFL. The outfielder is 8-for-29 (.276) in 10 games overall, with five extra-base hits and a 1.055 OPS.

Position Players

Kody Hoese – The third baseman went 2-for-13 at the plate in three starts this week, with a two-run single and seven strikeouts. Hoese was No. 13 on the top 30 Dodger prospect list in 2021.

Jacob Amaya – Playing up the middle at second and shortstop, Amaya started three games this week. The No. 14 prospect finished the week 2-for-12 with three strikeouts and an RBI-single.

Carson Taylor – The catcher appeared in two games this week, going 4-for-6 with two singles and two strikeouts. Taylor (No. 30) is 6-for-15 in four games overall.

Pitchers

Landon Knack – The No. 8 prospect followed Miller Thursday with four innings in relief, giving up three runs on five hits, striking out four while walking one.

Jeff Belge – Both Dodger relievers had one good and one successful outing this week. Belge got tagged for four runs on three hits and a walk in a third of an inning Wednesday but struck out both batters he faced Saturday.

Kyle Hurt – The other reliever of the group, Hurt gave up four runs on two hits and three walks in two-thirds of an inning Monday, followed by 2 ¹⁄₃ scoreless on Friday.