Headlines

  • Red Sox, Marlins Swap Matt Barnes For Richard Bleier
  • Darren O’Day Announces Retirement
  • Royals To Re-Sign Zack Greinke
  • Rays Close To Contract Extension With Yandy Diaz
  • Mets To Extend Jeff McNeil
  • Braves Extend Manager Brian Snitker Through 2025
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2023
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Free Agent Stock Watch: Wade Miley

By Connor Byrne | August 15, 2019 at 6:45pm CDT

Left-hander Wade Miley was one of the most cost-efficient free-agent signings in each of the previous two offseasons. He was highly successful as a Brewer in 2018 after settling for a minor league contract, and has continued to thrive this year as an Astro on the heels of taking a major league pact worth $4.5MM. Over the past season and a half, Miley ranks 14th among qualified starters in ERA (3.11).

Understandably, plenty of skepticism has accompanied Miley’s ability to prevent runs. Since 2018, only 20 qualified starters have registered a worse FIP than Miley’s 4.42, while he also falls toward the low end of the majors in SIERA (4.68; 19th from the bottom) and xFIP (4.44; 25th). One of the problems has been Miley’s K/BB ratio, which was especially poor last year after he struck out 5.58 hitters per nine and walked 3.01 across 80 2/3 innings as a Brewer. But Miley has improved significantly in that category through 141 2/3 frames as a member of the Astros, with whom he has struck out 7.43 and walked 3.05. While still unspectacular, those numbers are right in line with the former Diamondback, Red Sox and Mariner’s career totals (7.13 K/9, 3.12 BB/9).

Clearly, the 32-year-old Miley has never been anywhere near elite at racking up strikeouts or limiting walks, in part because of a fastball that clocks in at just about 91 mph. But Miley has typically induced a solid number of ground balls while limiting home runs, which has continued this year.

As a member of the Astros, Miley has forced grounders at a 52.4 percent clip and allowed homers on 15.1 percent of fly balls – both of which are well above average. He has also been tough on both lefties, whom he has held to a .255 weighted on-base average, and righties (.295). And good luck hasn’t been the driving force behind Miley’s ability to stymie hitters, as Statcast indicates the .289 wOBA he has given up is actually worse than his .282 expected wOBA. Miley’s xwOBA ranks in the majors’ 81st percentile, while his exit velocity against (70th), expected batting average (75th), hard-hit rate (81st) and expected slugging percentage against (84th) also sit toward the top of the majors.

The success Miley has enjoyed over the past couple years has come with a change in repertoire. When he was a member of the Orioles in 2017, batters had their way with Miley, who pitched to a bloated 5.61 ERA in 157 1/3 innings of work. Miley’s career (or at least his time as a useful major leaguer) looked as if it was nearing an end then, but he has since revived it with a more cutter-heavy approach. He threw the pitch 14.3 percent of the time in 2017, per Statcast, but has used it at a 41-plus percent clip in both seasons since then. Miley has tossed it a personal-high 46.8 percent of the time this year, and hitters have recorded a modest .311 wOBA/.315 xwOBA against it. Miley’s other most common pitches – his changeup (19.6 percent; .198 wOBA/.191 xwOBA) and four-seamer (16.4 percent; .272/.258) – have confounded the opposition even more.

Despite the success Miley has enjoyed going back to 2018, the soft-tossing southpaw still isn’t a particularly exciting option. His earning power will always be somewhat limited as a result, but Miley should at least do better than the contract he raked in last offseason. A multiyear pact might be in the offing this winter for Miley, who will fall behind far more expensive hurlers such as teammate Gerrit Cole, Madison Bumgarner, Cole Hamels, Zack Wheeler, Dallas Keuchel, Jake Odorizzi and Kyle Gibson, perhaps among others, on the open market.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Share 0 Retweet 4 Send via email0

Free Agent Stock Watch Houston Astros MLBTR Originals Wade Miley

Angels Outright J.C. Ramirez To Triple-A
Main
Twins Activate Michael Pineda
View Comments (20)

Comments

  1. Frahm_

    3 years ago

    2 years 16 million

    Reply
    • Ejemp2006

      3 years ago

      Follows Morton to the Rays. Or goes to the Angels. If he goes to the Rays, he’ll murder. If the Angels, he’ll get murdered.

      Reply
  2. mlb1225

    3 years ago

    Miley is a fairly underrated FA. Solid back end option for any team.

    Reply
  3. terry

    3 years ago

    He’s worth more than he’s making right now. We’ll see if the clubs and GM’s looking for pitchers think so, too. Miley should get a two year contract this time out.
    With as many good pitchers available , does anyone see a bidding war for more than the top couple here?

    Reply
  4. stan lee the manly

    3 years ago

    Seems like a logical Cardinals target in the offseason. Would be nice to break the all righty rotation cycle going on recently.

    Reply
  5. Christopher_Oriole

    3 years ago

    I just don’t understand how he could be so awful for the Orioles

    Reply
    • Pickle_Britches

      3 years ago

      Because he didn’t want to pitch for that team. He was trying to pitch his way out of Baltimore.

      Reply
    • jbigz12

      3 years ago

      He was scared to death of giving up HRS here. He’d walk half team trying to nibble and he’d be gone by the 5th inning.

      Reply
  6. ElMagoN9ne

    3 years ago

    Brewers gonna get their ace back. Lol

    Reply
    • petrieooo

      3 years ago

      ElMagiN9ne, I think you might need to sit down for awhile. I am sure you must be lightheaded after exhausting the amount of brainpower that was needed for you to come up with that gem of trolling attempt. But then again, it puts you on par with the typical intelligence level of most Cubs fans.

      Reply
  7. seaver41

    3 years ago

    Clearly the Astros know something about reclamation projects. He likely regresses going elsewhere unless he ends up on a team with a better than most pitching coach

    Reply
    • ColossusOfClout

      3 years ago

      The Astros know something alright, they know how to beat the testing!

      Reply
      • Rhino

        3 years ago

        Ah and here ya go boys the conspiracy theorist of the group. Otherwise know as the dumba$$

        The Astros teach a specific style and it’s quickly being adopted by other teams. They teach the four seam fastball over the two, change up over a curve and a third pitch either a slider or a cutter. They also stress the importance of the catcher, who’s job is to know the scouting reports and call the game.

        Reply
  8. crazylarry

    3 years ago

    Funny how successful organizations find these guys and make them winners and losers well they are losers.

    Reply
  9. Baseballdude242

    3 years ago

    Future Yankee

    Reply
  10. jbigz12

    3 years ago

    Wade Miley is the offbrand Dallas Keuchel at this point…Potentially a better value as well depending on what Keuchel gets.

    Reply
  11. ChiSox_Fan

    3 years ago

    Sox knocked him out after 3.1 innings a few days ago in win over the Astros.
    Miley not so special.

    Reply
    • JDGoat

      3 years ago

      Sox knocked Scherzer out after 3.1 innings a few days ago in win over the Nationals. Scherzer not so special.

      Cmon man one game sample size? Yikes.

      Reply
  12. badco44

    3 years ago

    Butted heads with the MGR in Boston and got traded

    Reply
  13. Rhino

    3 years ago

    I think he stays in Houston on a one to two year deal. The stros coaches can do wonders and they have worked their magic with Wade. I think he wants to win and knows his best Chance is in Houston.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Red Sox, Marlins Swap Matt Barnes For Richard Bleier

    Darren O’Day Announces Retirement

    Royals To Re-Sign Zack Greinke

    Rays Close To Contract Extension With Yandy Diaz

    Mets To Extend Jeff McNeil

    Braves Extend Manager Brian Snitker Through 2025

    Rays Sign Pete Fairbanks To Extension

    Royals Sign Aroldis Chapman To One-Year Deal

    Athletics Sign Jesús Aguilar

    Orioles Acquire Cole Irvin From A’s

    Astros Name Dana Brown General Manager

    Rays Extend Jeffrey Springs

    Royals, Red Sox Swap Adalberto Mondesi For Josh Taylor

    Red Sox Designate Matt Barnes For Assignment

    Scott Rolen Elected Into Baseball Hall Of Fame

    Red Sox Sign Adam Duvall

    Brad Ausmus Reportedly Among Astros’ GM Finalists

    Mike Clevinger Under Investigation For Domestic Violence Allegations

    Arte Moreno No Longer Pursuing Sale Of Angels

    Twins Acquire Michael A. Taylor From Royals

    Recent

    Reds Agree To Deal With Chad Pinder

    Diamondbacks Re-Sign Jake Hager To Minor League Deal

    Red Sox, Marlins Swap Matt Barnes For Richard Bleier

    Brewers Sign Monte Harrison To Minor League Deal

    Quick Hits: Orioles, Nationals, Steer

    Red Sox Designate Franklin German For Assignment

    Read The Transcript Of Our Chat Hosted By Former MLB Pitcher Collin Balester

    Giants Sign Joe Ross To Minor League Deal

    White Sox Claim A.J. Alexy From Twins

    Phillies Designate Sam Coonrod For Assignment

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Offseason Outlook Series
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2023
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • MLB Player Chats
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version