Dodgers Top Rookie Pitcher Miller Talks About the Grind of Spring, One Change from Winter
Dodgers top pitching prospect Bobby Miller is in big-league spring training camp for the first time in his career. LA's first-round pick in the shortened 2020 draft out of the University of Louisville, the 23-year-old Miller finished the 2022 season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he posted a 3.38 ERA in 21.1 innings and looked nearly ready for the big leagues.
Miller is expected to debut in the majors at some point in 2023, and his first taste of big-league camp has been an eye-opener for him about the grind of the big leagues. Miller talked with Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation from Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, and he talked about the intensity of training camp.
"It's hard work. I mean, we get we get here every day bright and early, no days off. We're for sure putting in the work — I believe this is the hardest-working team out there. So, it's an expectation, you got to put in the work and hopefully everything turns out well."
The work didn't start last week when Miller reported to camp, either. Los Angeles had him working hard in the offseason, and he said he's seen big gains from the work he put in.
"I've seen the most gains in my conditioning so far. I really upped that this year, lost some weight coming into this year — that was kind of planned — so making sure I'm losing while maintaining that strength, which I have. I feel like I'm moving quicker, my body is moving better and I'm maintaining the same strength, too."
The constant battle for a pitcher is to remain in top condition while also maintaining enough mass to keep their optimal velocity. Miller's triple-digit fastball is an important part of his repertoire, so the balance of losing weight while maintaining strength is tricky.
Miller's performance this spring will give us somewhat of an idea whether we should expect him in LA sooner or later. We're only a couple days away from the first spring games, so we should see Miller in action soon.
