Blake Snell Has High Expectations for Young Dodgers Star Bobby Miller
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell was the team’s headline signing this offseason, but beyond his impact on the mound, he is already making an impact on one young L.A. pitcher: Bobby Miller.
More news: Former Dodgers, Braves All-Star Pitcher Signs With NL West Rival
Miller struggled mightily in 2024. After striking out 11 batters over six scoreless innings in his season debut, Miller produced a 9.34 ERA in 10 starts after his return from the injured list.
Miller’s worst start of the season came against the Philadelphia Phillies, when he allowed nine runs over four innings. During the Dodgers’ most desperate time for pitching reinforcements, Miller was not able to help his team out. Instead, the Dodgers optioned the right-hander to the minors in July.
Flash forward to spring training, Miller has found a new friend and mentor in a two-time Cy Young winner. After forming a quick friendship, Snell revealed he has high expectations for Miller.
“I can see it in the way that he looks at the game, views the game,” Snell said of Miller. “I see how he wants to be great. I see that in a lot of that stuff.”
Inevitably, Snell’s faith in the young pitcher has motivated him in ways he could not have seen.
“That kind of fired me up a little bit,” Miller said. “Coming from a guy like him, two-time Cy Young winner. … He’s been taking me under his wing which I’m really thankful for.”
Snell revealed some of the advice he’s given Miller ahead of what the right-hander is hoping to be a bounce back season.
“I don’t live in the past,” Snell said. “He shouldn’t either. Last year, you learn from and then focus on what he’s doing. He’ll learn. He’s such an amazing talent. I don’t ask him what he did last year because I don’t care. I think what he’s gonna do is way more important than what happened. Learn from it, get better, whatever it was going bad and then this year is this year. Be ready for it.”
More news: Dodgers Top Prospect Wants to Make MLB Debut as Soon as Possible
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Miller has got to get out of his own head. He can’t have a mental blow up when he walks a batter or misses a pitch. DO what Snell said… live in the next moment and forget what has been done. You can’t undo it and over throwing or just throwing instead of pitching isn’t the answer. If he can control his emotions then that is half the battle right there. He has the talent, that’s a given. Does he have the mental makeup? Hopefully that is what he is learning and can put into practice from here on out…