The additions of prospects via the MLB Draft is a great way for contenders as well as rebuilding clubs to refresh their farm systems. It’s a great indication of the success of a ball club in the present and the future. Great players such as future Hall of Fame Clayton Kershaw were highly touted prospects going into the draft, while others such as Mike Piazza, who was picked only as a favor from Lasorda to Piazza’s father, were merely seen as organizational depth.
However, this is no ordinary draft in an ordinary year. The typical format of 40 rounds in the draft has been shrunk to only 5 rounds this year. With only a limited number of picks in a deep draft, teams such as the Dodgers are looking to make the right choice. Although undrafted free agents are allowed to sign for a max of $20,000, many who have the option may end up going back to college to wait until next year making it that much more crucial to make a quality selection.
With the first of their six draft picks in this year’s draft, the Dodgers selected RHP Bobby Miller 29th overall out of Louisville. The 6’5 pitcher can touch triple digits with his fastball to combine with his other two plus pitches, a slider/cutter, and his faithful splitter. Over 170 innings pitched the Illinois native has racked up a record of 15-2 to go along with a 3.28 ERA and 175 strikeouts in 41 total appearances.
With the 29th pick, the Los Angeles Dodgers select RHP Bobby Miller from the University of Louisville. #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/WZTBAlkMcH
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 11, 2020
He was previously drafted in the 38th round in the 2017 draft by the Baltimore Orioles. Millers has already shown he won’t shy away from big moments as he took a no-hitter into the ninth inning of an NCAA super-regional in 2019. With a delivery that draws comparisons to another Dodger pitcher, Alex Wood, his control could use some work. He is the second Louisville pitcher to come off the board as fellow teammate, Reid Detmers, was drafted 10th overall by the Angels.
#ThingsWeLove ›› #⃣1️⃣5️⃣@BMilled15 throwing 🔥
A sampling of Ks at 97+ ⤵️#L1C4 pic.twitter.com/YdVQkoXL0Z
— Louisville Baseball (@LouisvilleBSB) April 30, 2020
Miller looks to join a growing list of pitching depth that the Dodgers have accumulated over the years. With help from the club’s development team, Miller could become another future staple in the rotation down the road to pair with the likes of Walker Buehler and Dustin May. The Dodgers will be back on the clock tomorrow for rounds 2-5 to make their final 5 selections.