Andrew Miller, Retired

Date of Birth: 5/21/1985
Birthplace: Gainesville, Florida
College: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Andrew Miller, retired relief pitcher, was first drafted in 2003 by the Tampa Bay Rays but he opted instead to go to the University of North Carolina. That was probably a wise decision because he was a top player in college. In 2006, he was named the National Player of the Year by Baseball America and he won the Roger Clemens award.

Miller was drafted by and signed with the Detroit Tigers in 2006. He pitched in their minor league system in 2006, joining the Tigers for just 8 games that season. He started his career with the Tigers in 2007 as a starting pitcher. In 13 games that year, he pitched 64.0 innings and he had a 5.63 ERA and a 5-5 record.

On December 4, 2007, Miller was traded to the Miami Marlins in the deal that sent Miguel Cabrera to the Tigers. From 2008 through 2010, he was used by the Marlins primarily as a starting pitcher. In December, 2010, he signed with the Boston Red Sox and he continued pitching from the starting rotation in 2011. He was not very successful as a starting pitcher and in 2012, he was moved to the Red Sox's bullpen. However, injuries limited his playing time in 2012 and 2013.

After 50 games with the Red Sox in 2014, Miller was traded to the Baltimore Orioles on July 31st. He ended up having a strong season in 2014, finishing with a career low ERA of 2.02 and career highs of games played (73) and strikeouts (103 to 17 walks).

Miller signed a four-year, $36 million contract with the New York Yankees on December 5, 2014. In 2015, his first season as a closer, he was named the American League Relief Pitcher of the Year. He finished the season with 36 saves, 100 strikeouts to 20 walks, and a 2.04 ERA in 61.2 innings in 60 games. He pitched one inning in the postseason Wild Card game and he gave up no hits and he had two strikeouts.

Miller was traded to the Cleveland Indians on July 31, 2016. He had another strong season, finishing with an ERA of 1.45, 10 wins to 1 loss, 12 saves, and a career high 123 strikeouts to 9 walks in 44 games with the Yankees and 26 games with the Indians. He continued to pitch well in the postseason, giving up 12 hits and 3 runs in 19.1 innings in 10 games.

Miller had another strong season in 2017, finishing with a career low ERA of 1.44. He had 4 wins and 3 losses, 2 saves, and 95 strikeouts to 21 walks in 62.2 innings in 57 games. In the postseason, he pitched 5.0 innings in 4 games and he gave up 4 hits and 1 run. He struck out 8 batters and walked 2.

Miller spent time on the DL in 2018, limiting his playing time to just 34.0 innings in 37 games. He had 4 wins and 2 losses, 10 saves, 45 strikeouts to 16 walks, and a 4.24 ERA. In the postseason, he pitched 0.1 innings in 2 games and he gave up 1 hit and no runs. He walked three batters and struck out none.

Miller became a free agent on October 29, 2018. He signed with the St. Louis Cardinals on December 21, 2018. He finished the 2019 season with 5 wins and 6 losses, 6 saves, 70 strikeouts to 27 walks, and a 4.45 ERA in 54.2 innings in 73 games. In the postseason, he pitched 5.0 innings in 6 games and he gave up 1 hit and no runs. He struck out 6 batters and walked 2.

Miller spent time on the IL in 2020. He finished the season with 1 win and 1 loss, 16 strikeouts to 5 walks, 4 saves, and a 2.77 ERA in 13.0 innings in 16 games. In the postseason, he pitched 0.2 innings in 1 game, and he gave up 1 hit and no runs.

Miller spent time on the IL in 2021 with a toe blister and a foot blister. He finished the season with 40 strikeouts to 16 walks and a 4.75 ERA in 36.0 innings in 40 games. He didn't pitch in the postseason.

Miller became a free agent on November 3, 2021. He retired on March 24, 2022.

Career pitching statistics for Miller through 2021 include:

• 612 games played
• 829.0 innings pitched
• 55-55 win-loss record
• 63 saves
• 979 strikeouts to 383 walks
• 4.03 ERA

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Andrew Miller
ESPN - Andrew Miller