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The Padres have signed infielder/outfielder Brad Miller to a minor league deal, per AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. The shopper of ISE Baseball additionally receives an invitation to large league camp.
Miller, 34, is coming off a few largely misplaced seasons with the Rangers. He made separate journeys to the injured checklist final yr as a consequence of a proper indirect pressure and left hamstring pressure. He solely received into 27 video games and hit .214/.328/.339 in that point. 2022 was the same scenario as he received into 81 video games and hit simply .212/.270/.320, lacking time as a consequence of proper hip points and a neck pressure.
Previous to that, he was coming off a robust three-year run, which is what led to his two-year, $10MM pact in Texas. From 2019 to 2021, he suited up for Cleveland, Philadelphia and St. Louis, hitting 40 dwelling runs in these three seasons, one in every of which was shortened to 60 video games. His 28.3% strikeout fee was a bit excessive however he additionally drew walks at an 11.8% clip. His mixed .236/.331/.480 slash line over that three-year interval translated to a wRC+ of 114, indicating he was 14% above league common.
Defensively, Miller has bounced all around the diamond, having performed all 4 infield spots in his profession in addition to all three outfield positions. However he has hardly performed shortstop since 2016, hasn’t performed middle in any respect since 2015 and his final second base look was in 2021. He’s in all probability greatest suited to the 4 nook spots, which might nonetheless make him a match for the Padres.
The Friars have a large open outfield, other than Fernando Tatis Jr. being in proper subject. Non-roster invitees like Jackson Merrill, Jakob Marsee, Calvin Mitchell and Óscar Mercado seem like competing for outfield taking part in time with guys like Jurickson Profar and José Azocar. On the infield corners, Jake Cronenworth figures to be at first and Manny Machado at third. There’s some uncertainty with the latter since he’s getting back from elbow surgical procedure however he appears on observe to be prepared by Opening Day.
Infielders Eguy Rosario and Matthew Batten are on the 40-man roster however each have choices, as does Azocar. The Padres solely have 37 gamers on their 40-man roster and Tucupita Marcano will seemingly wind up on the 60-day IL sooner or later as a consequence of a torn ACL that’s going to maintain him out till midseason. If the Friars wished to, they might choose somebody like Miller to serve in a bench position, even when additionally they add a few these NRIs to fill out the outfield. In the meantime, the optionable gamers might be despatched to the minors for normal reps. The membership additionally doesn’t have a strict designated hitter on the roster, which opens up loads of alternatives for somebody on this cluster.
Miller can also be a lefty hitter with sturdy platoon splits who might maybe be utilized in a specialised position. He has slashed .242/.325/.438 towards righties in his profession for a wRC+ of 109, however simply .216/.273/.334 towards southpaws for a 67 wRC+. Every of Azocar, Rosario, Batten and Mercado hit from the suitable aspect, which might give supervisor Mike Shildt some alternatives to combine and match as wanted. However first, Miller might want to earn himself a spot on the roster after a few injury-marred campaigns.
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