Rookie starter Bobby Miller had an outstanding debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have promoted right-handed starter Bobby Miller to join their rotation.

Miller, 24, will help take the place of injured starters Dustin May, and Julio Urias.

The right-handed May, 25, who is now on the 60-day Injured List, has a strained flexor tendon. He had returned from successful Tommy John surgery this year.

Left-hander Urias, 26, is on the Injured List with a strained hamstring.

The Dodgers lead the NL West with a record of 31-20, 1.5 games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Already thin in the rotation due to injuries to Walker Buehler (Tommy John surgery) and Ryan Pepiot (strained oblique,) the Dodgers are searching for answers in their rotation. Hence, the promotion of Miller and right-hander Gavin Stone to the parent club.

Stone made his big league debut May 3 against the Philadelphia Phillies. He threw 4 innings, yielded 8 hits, and 5 runs in a Dodgers 10-4 win.

Rookie Miller made his major league debut May 23 on the road in Atlanta.

Miller went 5 innings against the Braves. The Dodgers beat Atlanta, 8-1. Miller got the win. He yielded 4 hits and 1 earned run. In the victory, Miller walked 1, struck out 5, and finished with a fine 1.80 ERA and 1.00 WHIP.

About Bobby Miller:

Bobby Miller is a long, and lean right-hander at 6-5, 220 pounds.

Miller is a bit unique, as he throws right-handed and bats left-handed.

The Dodgers drafted Miller in the 1st round of the 2020 MLB draft out of the University of Louisville.

Miller was selected at No. 29 in the draft, and the Dodgers gave him a $2,197,500 signing bonus.

Miller made 41 appearances in 170 innings at Louisville. He made 25 starts. His final season was cut short by the pandemic.

So far, Miller has spent only parts of three seasons in the minor leagues, including this partial season at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

It remains to be seen if Miller would be in the big leagues already, if not for injuries to the Dodgers rotation.

It should be noted that Miller had a sore shoulder during spring training this season. As a result, he threw only five innings in spring training before he reported to Oklahoma City for the minor league season.

Scouting Bobby Miller:

This writer scouted Miller in the 2021 Arizona Fall League, when Miller pitched for Glendale.

Miller entered the Fall League with a reputation as a potential Grade 65 pitcher. A Grade 65 pitcher is a consistent All Star, and the ace of a staff.

Miller had a mediocre fall season on the mound. He started three games of his five appearances. He threw 10 innings, and finished with a 9.90 ERA and 1.70 WHIP. His problem came down to a lack of command of his pitches. He had trouble throwing strikes and getting spin on the ball in the dry Phoenix air.

Miller was selected to the Arizona Fall League Falls Stars Game roster.

After scouting Miller in the Fall League, this scout placed a Grade 55 on Miller. That translates to an above average, mid-rotation major league starter.

Miller can hit 99-100 miles per hour with both his four-seam, and two-seam fastballs. He also throws a slider, a curve, and a changeup.

He uses a high arm slot, and gets outstanding torque behind his delivery.

Among that full repertoire, his four-seamer gets most of his attention. According to Brooksbaseball.net, he threw that pitch 40.27 % of the time in his MLB debut. He used his curve at 15.7%, his slider 18.09%, his changeup 16.04%, and his two-seam sinker 9.9 % of the time.

In an effort to increase his command and control, Miller has simplified what was once a delivery that was a bit aggressive.

Miller may be the type of pitcher that will be very dependent upon his pitching coach in sequencing his pitches. He will have to tailor his arsenal and pitch sequence very specifically to each particular hitter’s advance scouting report. He has improved his pitch sequencing lately. In short, he will have to follow a plan, and not “freelance” in his outings.

A power pitcher, there is little doubt Miller will have to get his fastball over for strikes to succeed. Therefore, it is probable big league hitters will test Miller’s command and control early in counts. They may tax him early, trying to elevate his pitch count.

He will also be dependent upon getting movement on his fastballs. If he throws too hard, his fastballs seem to straighten out, actually flatten out, if you will. Then he gets hit, and hit hard.

Scouts marvel at the fact that Miller can maintain his delivery deeply into games. With his big frame, he doesn’t tire easily or quickly.

Conclusions:

The Los Angeles Dodgers have promoted rookie right-hander Bobby Miller to make his major league debut.

Miller, and right-hander Gavin Stone were promoted from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take rotation slots vacated when pitchers Dustin May and Julio Urias went on the Dodgers Injured List.

Miller was successful in his debut start against the Atlanta Braves May 23.

The Dodgers and Bobby Miller have to be very pleased with his first big league appearance.