Seattle Mariners select RHP Bryce Miller in 4th Round, 113th overall
It's Miller Time in Seattle.
Right-handed pitcher Bryce Miller is headed to the pros as the Mariners selected the Texas A&M fireballer in the 4th round, making him the 113th overall pick of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft. Miller went one pick after teammate Dustin Saenz, who was selected by the Washington Nationals at 112.
Miller leaves Aggieland after three years in Maroon & White. During his first two seasons at A&M, Miller was utilized as a late-inning reliever in high-leverage situations. In 2019, Miller served as the Aggies' set-up man for closer Kasey Kalich before taking the ball in the ninth himself during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. As a senior, Miller transitioned into the starting rotation and was Texas A&M's Opening Day starter in 2021.
Prior to the draft, Miller was ranked No. 91 on MLB.com's list of the top-250 draft-eligible prospects. He could potentially fit into a club's rotation or bullpen depending on how he develops.
Combining his mid-90s fastball with a pair of breaking balls, Miller concludes his Texas A&M career with an 8-6 record, four saves and a 4.76 ERA in 54 appearances. Miller punched out 141 batters along with 57 walks as an Aggie. He made just 10 starts in three years, all of which came in his final season on campus.
Miller dazzled in a March 6 start against New Mexico State, tossing seven scoreless innings. He racked up 15 strikeouts and did not issue a walk while allowing only four hits in A&M's 5-0 win over the Lobos. For his performance, Miller was named the SEC's Pitcher of the Week and one of Collegiate Baseball's National Players of the Week.
His senior season was marred with irregularities as Miller was forced to skip two conference starts due to COVID-19 protocols, missing A&M's series with Georgia and Missouri.
Prior to enrolling at Texas A&M, the New Braunfels native spent one season at Blinn College. Summer league stops included two years with the Brazos Valley Bombers (2018, 2020) and one season with the Falmouth Commodores of the prestigious Cape Cod League in 2019.
Miller will join former Aggie teammate Zach DeLoach in the Mariners organization after DeLoach was selected in the second round by Seattle in 2020.
Whether Miller settles as a reliever or starter at the next level remains to be seen, but he has certainly shown the ability to get hitters out at each level he has pitched thus far.
Ryan Brauninger’s scout of Bryce Miller
“High velocity/spin rate arm that projects best out of the bullpen. Somewhat unorthodox delivery. High arm slot. Likes to pitch up in the strike zone. Fastball has good ride and carry. Secondary stuff could use some sharpening but has good shape when he’s going right. Could be a consistent 96-99 mph guy who has more in the tank with added strength/weight.”