Jai

Miller

Miller will stay with the organization after clearing waivers. The 27-year-old outfielder batted .233 (10-for-43) with two homers, 10 RBI and a 20/2 K/BB ratio this spring.

With seven RBI in 19 at-bats, Miller is making an early case for the bench spot that manager Buck Showalter indicated would likely go to Nick Johnson. Whether Nick Markakis is 100 percent may play a role here. If the Orioles aren’t certain about Markakis, it would make sense to carry the extra outfielder in Miller.

It’s something Miller said he’s had before, and he’s not worried about it. He should be considered day-to-day. Miller got off to a strong start this spring in his bid to win a roster spot, but he’s since faded and is batting just .206/.229/.412 with 17 strikeouts over 34 at-bats.

That’s four RBI in seven at-bats for the Triple-A veteran. Miller appears to be fourth in line for one of the two openings on the Baltimore bench, with infielders Ryan Flaherty and Matt Antonelli and first baseman Nick Johnson ahead of him. He’d be a much better bet to make the team if Nick Markakis has a setback and requires a DL stint.

Miller was cleared to make room for the A’s new acquisitions from the Gio Gonzalez trade with the Nationals. The 26-year-old outfielder appeared in six games at the major-league level this past season, but spent the majority of the year with Triple-A Sacramento, batting .276/.368/.588 with 32 homers, 88 RBI, 16 stolen bases and a .956 OPS over 475 plate appearances. He could still carve out a role with the team if he makes it through waivers unclaimed.

Miller was designated for assignment by the A’s in late December. He’s 26 years old and turns 27 later this month, but the athletic outfielder batted .276/.368/.588 with 32 home runs, 88 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 475 plate appearances last season at the Triple-A level. The O’s might be able to find a use for him in the majors.

Miller is coming off a big year for Sacramento, as he posted a .273/.366/.585 batting line while banging out 32 homers and driving in 88 runs. The 26-year-old doesn’t figure to see much playing time down the stretch.

He took Anthony Vasquez deep in the second inning. Three months shy of his 27th birthday with just 68 career at-bats to his name after breaking in with the Marlins in 2008, Miller won’t be a part of the A’s 2012 plans.

Miller, now 27 years old, was offered a football scholarship from Stanford University when he was a senior in high school. He turned it down after being selected in the fourth round of the 2003 MLB Amateur Draft by the Marlins but will return to the gridiron after appearing in only 28 major league games during his nine-year professional baseball career.

Miller had a three-homer game back in July, but he’s not really a power hitter. The 22-year-old finished at .261/.354/.438 with 14 homers in Double-A this year. He’s at .267/.320/.444 in 45 at-bats in Arizona. While he has the tools to take another step forward, he’d be fortunate to make it as a reserve.