Bobby Miller

Miller's pure stuff and ability to miss bats has not been in question since he was drafted by the Dodgers at the end of the first round in 2020. Inconsistency has been an issue for most of his pro career, but he finished 2022 with his best run to date. From July on, the 6-foot-5 righty logged a 3.56 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and an 82:16 K:BB in 55.2 innings across 11 starts between Double-A and Triple-A. Even in this impressive stretch, Miller failed to make it out of the third inning in three of his 11 starts and he struck out double-digit batters in four of 11 starts, so inconsistency remains. However, when he was on, he looked like a potential high-strikeout No. 2 starter whose power arsenal (fastball/slider/changeup) should make up for imperfect command and mechanics. The Dodgers have fifth starter candidates Ryan Pepiot and Michael Grove on the 40-man roster while the more exciting duo of Gavin Stone and Miller remain off the 40-man roster entering the year. This may not be a meritocracy right away, and the team could still trade for or sign another starter to further crowd the picture.

The No. 29 pick in the 2020 draft, Miller made his pro debut in 2021, logging 66.1 innings across High-A, Double-A and the Arizona Fall League. An oblique strain limited his innings, but his 7.2 BB% and 28.9 K% across his three stops were strong marks. He has good size at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, and he can touch 100 mph with his mid-90s fastballs -- he throws both a four-seamer and a sinker. He throws three secondaries, all of which have above-average to plus potential. Miller was babied for most of the year, throwing less than four innings in 12 of his 17 pre-AFL starts. It might even be a stretch for Miller to get up over 100 innings in his age-23 season. There's a high ceiling to dream on, but there's also still plenty of risk that he doesn't make it as a true 160-plus inning starter.

The Dodgers have had success getting the most out of pitching prospects, and they have a lot to work with in Miller, the No. 29 overall pick in last year's draft. Despite a big frame (6-foot-5, 220 pounds) and a quality four-pitch repertoire, he carries some bullpen risk, as he had an 11.2 BB% in 2019 and a 9.7 BB% in four starts as a junior at Louisville. His mid-90s sinker touches 99 mph, but he might be better served emphasizing his fourseamer more in pro ball. He also has a plus slider that can touch the low-90s along with a changeup and curveball that have above-average potential. He has an unusual delivery and worked as a reliever for parts of his first two campaigns, only logging 20 starts across two-plus seasons. All of his shortcomings are potentially correctable, and the quality and depth of his arsenal suggests he could develop into a No. 2 starter if he can improve his command.