Adam

Miller

Miller topped out at 95 mph in 2003, but he was throwing in the high-90s last season, touching 101 mph in the Carolina League playoffs. Perhaps something in his elbow couldn’t handle the added stress.

Miller seems to take another step forward every week. He’s currently 13-5 with a 2.81 ERA, 113 H and 139/38 K/BB in 134 2/3 IP for Akron. The Indians would probably prefer to wait until next year for him to make his major league debut, but if he does get a September callup, he’d have to be picked up in AL-only leagues.

Miller is 5-4 with a 4.35 ERA, 54 H and 55/16 K/BB in 60 IP in Double-A. Those probably aren’t quite the results the Indians were hoping for, but at least he has remained healthy.

Miller earned the promotion by going 13-6 with a 2.88 ERA, 120 H and 142/41 K/BB in 140 2/3 IP for Double-A Akron. He’s probably not going to be up with the Indians next month, but he’s reestablished himself as a top pitching prospect this year after battling elbow troubles in 2005.

Miller managed to stay healthy last season after missing 2009 and 2010 because of his right hand problems, but he could only muster a 5.93 ERA between high-A and Double-A. At this point, he’s simply competing for a spot in the Yankees’ Double-A bullpen.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post first reported the possible signing last month. Miller, a supplemental first-round pick of the Indians in 2003, missed the 2009 and 2010 seasons due to multiple surgeries on his right middle finger. The 27-year-old right-hander moved to the bullpen full-time last season, posting a 5.93 ERA and 39/21 K/BB ratio over 44 innings between High- and Double-A. The odds are against him, but the former top prospect is certainly worth the gamble.

A former first-round pick and one of the best pitching prospects in the game at one time, Miller has been plagued by finger problems the last few years and has still yet to make it up to the major leagues. He was moved to the bullpen full-time in 2011 for the first time but didn’t fare well in the role, posting a 5.93 ERA and 1.64 WHIP over 31 games at High- and Double-A. Still, there are worse gambles you could take on a minor league deal.

A former supplemental first-round pick of the Indians, Miller has failed to meet expectations at just about every turn. He had a 4.96 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in 49 innings this season in the Yankees’ farm system.

Miller gave up three hits, walked none and struck out one. He wasn’t a dominant pitcher after returning from a strained elbow ligament in June, so he has something to prove this fall.