The Cubs are calling up righty Tyson Miller to make his Major League debut, manager David Ross announced to reporters today (Twitter link via Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago). He’ll start the second game of tonight’s doubleheader against the Cardinals. That assignment could’ve gone to righty Adbert Alzolay, but he took a ball off his forearm in a recent intrasquad game, it seems. Thankfully, Alzolay escaped with just a bruise, but he’s not yet ready to take the hill for the Cubs.
Miller, 25, was Chicago’s fourth-round pick back in 2016 and has been considered to be among the better prospects in a thin Cubs system for the past couple seasons. He breezed through Double-A in 2019, pitching to a 2.56 ERA with 80 strikeouts against just 16 walks in 88 innings before being promoted to Triple-A. Things didn’t go well in the Pacific Coast League for Miller — that’s true for most pitchers — as he was ambushed for a 7.58 ERA in 48 2/3 frames. Miller was blown up for 13 long balls in that short time after surrendering just six in his 88 Double-A innings. Some of that is surely attributable to better opponents, but the Triple-A leagues used the same ball that produced MLB’s home run boom last season. (The lower minor league levels did not.)
Baseball America credits Miller with the best control of any pitching prospect in the Cubs’ system, labeling him as a potential back-end starter. He ranks 14th in the system per BA and 25th over at MLB.com. Improvements to his changeup and an added curveball helped to drive his success at Double-A last year, per BA.
Today’s outing figures to be a spot start for Miller, who is serving as the Cubs’ 29th man. He’ll be sent back to the alternate site following the outing. However, this will also serve as Miller’s first audition for a longer-term look with the team. Each of Jon Lester, Jose Quintana and Tyler Chatwood will see the guaranteed portion of their contracts conclude at season’s end — Lester has a 2021 option — so there could be opportunity for Miller and other young arms in the near future.
Nabil Crismatt is a cooler name than Tyson Miller. Cards win this round.
The Cubs still have a good team, but they have no depth. If injuries start to hit the team, they’re likely going to call up a below replacement level player. Compare that with the Dodgers or Cardinals.
You literally just compared the Cardinals to the Dodgers….wasn’t it just yesterday, that due to depth, the Cards pitched a kid that gave up four consecutive home runs? That’s probably below replacement level player also. I get your Cubs depth comment, but don’t compare the Cards to the Dodgers.
Wrong person? I haven’t been on this website in a week. And yes, the Cardinals historically always have great depth, going all the way back to Walt Jocketty. Maybe not as good as the Dodgers right now, but still better than the Cubs
Saying the Cardinals are better than the Cubs right now sounds like biased opinion. What are you basing that on? They have played less than 10 games of .500 ball. Going all the way back to Walt Jocketty era is even more curious when assessing the current club.
I didn’t say they were better 1-28. I’m saying they have better organizational depth. Their team doesn’t cater when they have injuries like the Cubs did last year
I’m just commenting to give a nod to another Dawson fan
You stole my dawesome too
Last year’s injuries down the stretch for the Cubs were to Bryant, Rizzo, Baez, and Contreras…..the last three for extended times…like a month plus for Contreras and Baez. I’m sure you meant “cave” not cater…..but when you literally lose your best FOUR players there may be some “cave” involved.
The carda for great depth
Bote can play at least 4 positions
Almora Jr can play all 3 outfield spots
Victor Caratini play 1st besides C
Kris Bryant plays left field.
Baez can play 4 infield spots
Nico Hoerner can play 3rd and 2nd as 2nd and 3rd options
Hernan Perezz Plays all positions except for C
Schwarber can play catcher as the backup
Emergency catcher
With all the insanity of the 2020 calendar year, I almost forgot about the baseball controversy. Has anyone complained about it this year, or said it’s back to normal? Everything is still small sample size, but there were a lot of vocal pitchers in April of last year, right? Or am I making that up? I don’t know what is real anymore.
I think you’re seeing less of that chatter in part because people aren’t at or watching games as much.
It’s under the table because folks aren’t viewing it.
Why not have Phegley pitch? Since today is obviously stupid lineup day, it makes sense.
Not over that Almoravid-Phegley debacle in Game 1 with the Cards today. If you are trotting out a guy like Miller in Game 2 against Reyes, why no try to win the first game????