June 11th, 2020 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 At 6:54 PM PT on June 10, 2020, University of Louisville right-handed pitcher Bobby Miller’s name was read by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred as the Dodgers first selection in the 2020 first-year player draft. In early April 2020, Baseball America had slotted Miller as the 29th best player who would be available in the June draft. Fangraphs ranked Miller at number 21 in its predraft ranking, while MLB Pipeline rated him much lower at number 48. Kudos to Baseball America!
Some biographical information on the Dodgers first-round selection:
- Name: Robert Anthony Miller
- Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 220 | B-T: L-R
- Age At Draft: 21.2
- Born: April 5, 1999, in Elk Grove Village, Illinois
- College: University of Louisville
- High School: McHenry Community High School, McHenry, IL
Baseball America’s scouting report:
Out of high school in 2017, Miller showed flashes of the pitcher he could become one day, touching 93-94 mph with a frame that indicated more in the tank as well as a breaking ball that showed above-average potential. Three years later and Miller has started to actualize the potential he showed as a teenage high school pitcher. Miller entered the 2020 season as a full-time starter for the first time, though he did log plenty of innings (146.2) in a hybrid role in 2018 and 2019. Miller now has a fastball that consistently reaches the upper 90s, with heavy, sinking life. He pairs that pitch with a hard slider in the upper 80s that can touch 90, a pitch that has flashed plus potential. He’s also has a mid-80s changeup-splitter that gives him a third solid pitch, and a curveball that’s fringe. There is some reliever risk with Miller, as his delivery and arm action are not smooth, but he maintains his stuff deep into his games and improved his strike-throwing this season. Through four starts and 23.1 innings pitched in 2020 (before the pandemic shutdown the season) Miller posted a 2.31 ERA.
Surrounded by family and friends, Miller was thrilled to be selected by the Dodgers.
No doubt the team is also thrilled to draft a highly regarded college pitcher with high 90’s fastball; high 80’s slider; mid 80’s changeup-splitter.
“We expect him to race through the Minor Leagues,” said vice president of amateur scouting Billy Gasparino. “We expect him to be a fast riser given his talent level, makeup and past performance.”
(Photo courtesy of Louisville Athletics)
Hopefully, Miller is signed quickly and then on his way to the Driveline pitching program.
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Posted in 
Thanks for the info, he’s a big boy!
Any thoughts on the J.T. Ginn situation?
Two picks today!
Miller is a terrific talent! The only negatives I have read is some mechanical issues that I am confident the Dodgers coaches and Driveline baseball will quickly resolve.
Last April I guessed that Ginn would be drafted by Dodgers IF they believed he would sign. Only guessing here, but perhaps they know he plans to return to school to build up his value for the 2021 draft. If he had not undergone TJ surgery the “experts” were predicting him to be a top 10 pick this year. Huge difference in bonus dollars between number 10 and 29.
This is last day of draft, so Dodgers have 5 picks today: 60, 66, 100, 130, and 159. This is considered by the experts to be a very deep, talented draft, so Dodgers will come away with several fine prospects — if they will sign.
My wife and I are so starved for baseball that we watched the entire draft last night until the Dodgers picked. When the UCLA outfielder Garrett Mitchell started falling (likely due to his type 1 diabetes) I was hoping he would drop to the Dodgers, but the Brewers jump up and took him with the 20th pick.
In second round there is a left-hander at Florida International who could drop to the Dodgers at no. 60, Logan Allen. Only 6′ tall and 170 pounds he is not overpowering, average fastball, plus change-up, average breaking pitch — all of which he has exceptional command and he fearlessly attacks opposing hitters. He is also a very fine hitter who plays first base when not pitching.
Depending on which players continue to fall in the draft the Dodgers will get a good one, but it could be Allen.
You made me lol, Jesse. This was the first time I have EVER watched a complete round of the MLB Draft. I have to confess, however, that I kept switching back and forth to the NASCAR race at Martinsville.
As you noted, because there is no baseball going on, I may actually tune in to the second round today as well … May.
We did flip channels a couple of times during breaks and all of Jessica Mendoza interview segments. We will watch again today, but not as diligent until closer to Dodgers picks.