Just over a week away from the start of the 2019 regular season, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ potential Opening Day roster has continued taking shape. One player making a push to be included in those plans is utility man Brad Miller.
Signed to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training at the end of February, the 29-year-old has thrived at the plate in Cactus League play, hitting .364 with two home runs and a 1.053 on-base plus slugging over 22 at-bats.
Miller has also displayed his defensive flexibility this spring — something the Dodgers strongly consider when constructing their roster — appearing all over the field across 10 games. In six Major League seasons, he has experience playing at seven different positions.
During an in-game interview with SportsNet LA’s Alanna Rizzo, Miller revealed that his sole focus is earning a spot on the Opening Day roster, deeming the Dodgers a great fit for him:
“I’m just trying to play. I want to win. That’s part of why I came here. It seems like they have a lot of the same type of player, guys that are good dudes. They play hard, they do things the right way, they pick each other up. That’s why they’ve had the success they’ve had. So, just trying to fit right in, honestly. … What I’m focused on is really making this team. I think there was some mutual interest from the beginning. Where my feet are, that’s where I want to be. I think if you do things the right way, you play hard, you care about people, I think it ends up working out for you. There’s still a lot of time left. I know it sounds crazy — there’s only five or six days, but in the baseball world, a lot can happen.”
With injuries particularly plaguing the Dodgers on the pitching staff, there doesn’t appear to be an obvious spot for Miller on the Opening Day roster.
However, Miller almost instantly caught the eye of Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, which could bode well for his immedidate future with the club.
Miller may ultimately force his way to the Majors given his excellent play this spring, and the fact that he can opt-out of his contract this week.
Prior to signing with the Dodgers, Miller most notably enjoyed his best season as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016, tallying career-highs in many statistical categories, including home runs (30).
