MLB: What Non-Contenders Can Look Forward to in September

Tampa Bay Rays: Brad Miller‘s Power Surge

Tampa Bay came into this season with some hope that they could contend for the AL East crown. At the start of the season, the Rays looked to have the best starting pitching in the division with Chris Archer, Jake Odorizzi, Matt Moore and Drew Smyly taking the ball every five days. However, the ever-prevalent question of offense always follows the Rays. Outside of Evan Longoria, there really has been no bona fide offensive presence in the middle of the order, and it didn’t seem like that was going to change this season. Baseball analysts certainly didn’t expect Brad Miller to be that guy.

Miller was acquired by Tampa over the winter in a deal that sent Nathan Karns to the Seattle Mariners. Up to that point, the 26-year-old shortstop was not seen as a much of a threat in the batter’s box. His best offensive season came in 2013, when he hit for a .265 batting average and slugged eight long balls. The most home runs he had ever hit in a season was 11 in 2015. This makes his extreme power outburst this season that much more surprising.

In 2016, Miller has hit 26 homers. Let that sink in. While that doesn’t seem like much, for a guy with the reputation and game of the former Seattle Mariner, this is a very big development. Not only did he increase his power, but he did it while changing positions from shortstop to first base. After Tampa Bay traded for Matt Duffy prior to the trade deadline, this forced Miller to a new position. This could have negatively affected him, but instead he has answered by focusing on driving the ball over the fence.

There really isn’t an explanation for why he’s become more of a power hitter. His doubles numbers weren’t great over the course as of his career, as he didn’t eclipse 25 two-baggers until this season. This may be an outlying year, but it will be exciting to see how many home runs the young shortstop can collect over the rest of the month.

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