The Cubs have selected right-hander Shelby Miller from their alternate training site in South Bend, per a team announcement. The Cubs also reinstated righty Jason Adam from the injured list and optioned righty Adbert Alzolay and lefty Brad Wieck to the alternate site. These moves come in addition to the reinstatement of Austin Romine and the DFA of Tony Wolters, which were announced earlier in the day.
A first-round pick in 2009, third-place Rookie of the Year finisher in 2013 and All-Star in 2015, Miller appeared to be on a trajectory to superstardom not long ago. He debuted in the Majors as a 21-year-old in 2012 and over the next four seasons tossed 575 1/3 innings of 3.22 ERA ball between the Cardinals and the Braves. The Cards sent him to Atlanta as part of the return for then-star outfielder Jason Heyward, and Atlanta flipped him a year later when the D-backs offered up shortstop Dansby Swanson just months after he’d been selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
Miller’s career fell off a cliff almost immediately after the trade. The righty lost some velocity, lost his control of the strike zone and began giving up considerably more hard contact, leading to more home runs. He was eventually optioned to Triple-A by the D-backs, and the following season he underwent Tommy John surgery. Miller attempted a comeback with the Rangers in in 2019 but had even worse results than he did in Arizona. He’s since spent time with the Brewers organization but didn’t pitch for them in the Majors.
All told, Miller has pitched just 183 big league innings since the conclusion of that All-Star campaign in 2015. He’s been rocked for a 6.89 ERA and 5.21 FIP in that time. Miller did, however, put together a very nice spring showing with the Cubs. In 12 innings, he held opponents to just two earned runs on nine hits and six walks with 16 strikeouts.
There’s little harm for the Cubs in trying to catch lightning in a bottle with Miller, even if recent history provides little indicator that a turnaround is on the horizon. It’ll surprise many readers to learn that he’s still just 30 years old,, and we’ve seen unexpected resurgences at considerably later points in pitchers’ careers than this.
Hey Cubbie fans, what is it that Alzolay needs to work on right now? Is it control? Another pitch?
I don’t follow the Cubs whatsoever, and I kinda wanted to see what fans would say before I look at his stats.
I’m sure he’ll be back when it’s his turn or they plan to skip him to limit innings. This definition is not a demotion
I agree. The current covid situation requires some roster juggling. He will be back soon.
He really hasn’t proven he can make it through the order the third time yet. He’s been working with a new pitch- slider. Might be a bit away yet? Guessing he will be back for next turn in order
He is one of the few guys with options, so I am sure that played a role in the decision.
Wow! I can’t believe that nobody else signed him until now. He’s a legit 2/3 starter with great upside! What a move!!
D-
Too obvious, low-hanging fruit.
Haha
No, that would be Dane Dunning.
Teams are still trying to uncover the pitcher inside Shelby Miller that had three back to back to back quality seasons in 2013-14-15.
i think only papa dunc (dave duncan) can get the pitcher out of miller. that being said hope he can figure it out at the time i didn’t like the trade but also we needed an of after oscar’s passing so i understood the move. tbh i didn’t see miller falling off the cliff after stl, i was more like f we just let a future ace go for a rental. anyhow best wishes for miller unless he is facing the cards.
The main piece in some random trade between the D backs and Braves that sent low rates prospects.
Lame, I was looking forward to seeing how Alzolay pitched in his next start after looking pretty good in his last start
They will prolly hold Alzolay down until they accrue another year of service time on him like they’re doing with Hoerner. Another sign Cubs fans should realize that this will be a lost year and trades will be happening in the months ahead. Go Cubs Go!
Or it’s to hold down his arbitration earnings later on with a season that the Cubs are punting on.
could be one heck of a story if he can return to form.
well maybe not given today’s outing.
IF he regains his late 90’s form…watch out!
Yeah, he awesome. Just wait till he faces the murderers row of Jeremy Burnitz, Jose Valentin, and John Jaha. They be in trouble.
He just walked in a run, guy is looking brutal.
As a Brewers fan, I was really glad to see his performance today! Lmao
But I do wish he’d be able to figure things out at some point against a different team. That was not a good outing.
Is Adbert a Major League ready pitcher? He’s had a couple of chances. I hope Miller works out. Didn’t today. Maybe on this honest and coming up he’ll find the strike zone. Today’s umpire was screwing the Cubs all day.
Adbert seems like a dypo.
Hopefully they don’t designate him after today’s outing…
Miller’s ERA after his 23 pitch outing today is “infinite”. Heck, I’ve been out of baseball for 26 years and could have done as good. For alot less money too.
Memo to HoyerJed, sign up Cubs Dynasty p plz. Regards, your former boss, Theo.
And give me back my stapler.
Thanks Theo…
Select Shelby Miller for what? A side dish when opposing teams feast?
he was really mowing them down against a Milwaukee! haha