Milwaukee Brewers: Brad Miller Released to Free Agency
By Paul Ashley
The Milwaukee Brewers have been very active in trying to find the right mix of players to reach the postseason. After pulling off two trades to add offense to the infield, there was no longer room for a player that was acquired recently in June.
According to the Milwaukee Brewers, Brad Miller has been released.
3B Mike Moustakas has been activated. INF Brad Miller designated for assignment. RHP Matt Albers reinstated from the 10-day disabled list. OF Keon Broxton optioned to Triple-A @skysox. pic.twitter.com/pRdfSQx6yh
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) July 28, 2018
He was designated for assignment on July 28th to make room on the roster for the newly acquired Mike Moustakas. Following their acquisition of Jonathan Schoop prior to the trade deadline, they decided to go ahead and release Miller.
Miller was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays on June 10th of this year along with cash considerations for Ji-Man Choi. However, after compiling only 17 hits in 74 at-bats, the Brewers decided to cut their ties with the former 2nd round draft pick.
After he was drafted by the Seattle Mariners, he performed well right away in the minors. Through 14 games at Single-A he held a .458 on-base percentage and a .528 slugging percentage. This caused the M’s to start him in Single-A+ in 2012. After a solid 97 games in which he compiled a .936 on-base plus slugging percentage, he was moved to Double-A.
In Double-A, he held an .882 OPS through 40 games in 2012 and an .850 OPS through 42 games in 2013. This performance earned him a call up to Triple-A where he continued to shine. In Triple-A, he held a 1.022 OPS through 26 games. This was enough for the Mariners to call him up to the big league level where he was expected to have a solid career.
Miller hit well during his first season with a .318 OBP and a .418 slugging percentage through his first 76 MLB games in 2013. He provided versatility in Seattle as he spent time at second base, third base, and shortstop. Although he compiled a measly .653 OPS in 2014 through 123 games, he was able to rebound in 2015.
Through 144 games, he compiled a .329 OBP to go with 37 extra-base hits. He increased his versatility this season by spending time in all three outfield positions. This was enough for the Tampa Bay Rays to acquire him in the 2015 offseason.
The Rays sent out Nate Karns, Boog Powell, and C.J. Riefenhauser to acquire Miller, Logan Morrison, and Danny Farquhar.
Miller was phenomenal in his first season with Tampa Bay. Through 152 games, he compiled 30 home runs, 29 doubles, and 6 triples. He finished the season with a .786 OPS, which is his highest OPS thus far in the big leagues.
Unfortunately for Miller, he declined in 2017 and has not recovered in 2018. Through 110 games last season, he had 24 extra-base hits alongside a .327 on-base percentage. Through 75 games this season, he has 22 extra-base hits to go with a .311 on-base percentage.
Although he has struggled this season, he could still provide value to another MLB team.
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With Aaron Judge on the disabled list, the New York Yankees are currently using Tyler Wade and Shane Robinson as their backup outfielders. In Miller’s career, he has 10 home runs, 15 doubles, and 3 triples through 50 games played against the Boston Red Sox.
As the Yankees recently made moves to acquire players with great numbers against the Red Sox (J.A. Happ and Lance Lynn), will they look to sign Miller? It could make sense to give him a look while Judge and Clint Frazier are dealing with injuries.
The Los Angeles Angels could also be a possibility after moving Ian Kinsler to Boston. Miller has a .333 OBP and a .478 SLG through 25 games played at Angels Stadium. In those games, he has 11 runs batted in and 9 runs scored as well.
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Despite already spending time with three franchises, Miller is still only 28 years old. He has a unique ability as he has at least 15 MLB games of experience at each position on the field except for right field, catcher, and pitcher. As he provides versatility on the field and has the potential to provide strong offensive numbers from the left side of the plate, expect to see Miller get a look by another organization.