Bart

Miadich

Even though he walked 41 in 51 1/3 innings, Miadich, 27, had a 3.68 ERA for Triple-A Salt Lake last season. He’s currently pitching in Puerto Rico and has given up three runs in seven innings. When he’s on, Miadich’s 95-mph fastball and power slider make him tough to hit. However, his control problems could result in him spending most of next year at Triple-A Portland.

Miadich was let go to make room for Ricky Stone even though he was set to be the Beavers’ representative in the Triple-A All-Star game. The reliever had a 3.57 ERA in 31 appearances. He’ll soon join another Triple-A club.

Miadich, 28, had a 3.96 ERA while splitting time between the Triple-A clubs of San Diego and Texas last season. He’d be a successful big-league reliever right now if he had average command. He doesn’t.

Miadich has allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings in Puerto Rico. The 27-year-old right-hander battled control problems for Triple-A Salt Lake last season, getting him booted off Anaheim’s 40-man roster in September. He’s always had the talent to become a major league reliever, but he might be starting to run out of chances.

The 30-year-old Miadich had some terrific numbers in a half-season’s worth of work at Triple-A Albuquerque last year, but the Rays didn’t intend to give him an opportunity to make the club. Maybe he or Cressend could become bullpen candidates if replacements are needed during the season.

Miadich, 29, had a 2.20 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 32 2/3 innings for Triple-A Albuquerque last season, but he still has trouble throwing strikes. If he had better command, he would have turned into a setup man years ago.

Despite a 2.93 ERA at Salt Lake, Miadich hasn’t helped himself this year. Because he’s walked 34 and thrown 10 wild pitches in 46 innings, the Angels chose Greg Jones over him to join the bullpen after Kevin Appier was released. Miadich hasn’t had these kind of control problems in the past, and if he throws strikes, he should have some success as a short reliever. For now, he’ll be used as a mop-up man.

Infielder Adam Riggs will be called up Thursday to take Miadich’s place on the roster.

Miadich’s control problems really hurt him this year, but there are worse uses of 40-man roster spots. He still could become a decent reliever in the majors.