Despite leading team in RBI, Miller sent to AAA to work on defense.(45.15)

[niles08]

In sort of under the wire news as rosters expanded, one Cyclone was actually sent the other way, despite leading the team in runs batted in on the season.

In somewhat shocking news, Donald Miller, who had a 143 OPS+, 36 home runs, and 105 runs batted in on the season was told to head to Lincoln for a bit to work on his outfield defense. While in the outfield this season, Miller has logged 415 innings, after previously logging just 263 in his BBA career. He has been asked to cover right field against left-handed hitters as Andre Ly typically rides the pine on those days.

Over these innings, Miller has indeed been a liability with a .976 fielding percentage in RF. He also had a .971 EFF and -2.3 ZR for you analytics guys. In AAA, over 6 games played, Miller has a 1.000 fielding percentage on 11 chances, and a 1.004 EFF rating so either it’s a competition issue or Miller has worked out a new strategy to handle the outfield.

Omaha has announced this week that Miller will indeed be called back up to finish the home series against Twin Cities.

“I think his numbers speak for themselves, Donald is a big part of our offense and what we are trying to do in Omaha. We know that moving forward, we are going to continue to rely on him in the outfield and felt it was best to let him get some extra work in Lincoln.” Said GM Justin Niles.

“Those are baseless rumors. We want to send the best team out on the field each day of the week. We noticed a spot he was struggling and wanted to ensure he got some help so that we could continue to utilize him as needed.” Niles said when asked about Miller’s contract, and the rumors that he was sent down in order to gain an extra year of eligibility.

[tylertoo]

I'm sure his agent was screaming.

[usnspecialist]

theo epstein approves of this move.