The Golden Sombrero’s Top 50 Prospects: #16 – Shelby Miller (Video) | The Golden Sombrero Baseball Blog | MLB, Fantasy, College & High School Baseball News

The Golden Sombrero’s Top 50 Prospects: #16 – Shelby Miller (Video)

#16 Shelby Miller – St. Louis Cardinals

RHP

DOB: 10-10-90

ETA: 2013

Shelby Miller struck out 140 guys as a 19-year-old in Class A.  He walked only 33 guys and quite frankly, was entirely too good for his level.  He posted an ERA of 3.62 and will likely begin the year at Double-A.  Because he is so young, Miller will likely spend the entire season there with perhaps a brief promotion to finish the year.  The same should be expected in 2013, but at Triple-A Memphis.

Miller boasts a mid-90’s fastball (the best in the Cardinals system), a chance at a plus changeup, and an average to above-average curveball.  His arsenal at its peak might read 70/60/55, and that sort of assortment, if commanded even averagely, will make him frontline in the Majors and should allow him to slot in nicely in between Adam Wainwright and Jaime Garcia.

At 6-foot-3 and just shy of 200-pounds, Miller’s body doesn’t hint at potential injury risk, although his arm slot is not always consistent, as is to be expected with a pitcher his age.  Once he begins to repeat his delivery more consistently, all other injury concerns should disappear as well.  Miller is easily one of the five best right-handed pitching prospects in the game, and at just 20-years-old, we should anticipate hearing his name for at least the next decade barring injury.

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