When we last left off with Bobby Miller in 2024, here was his prognosis for the coming year at True Blue LA:
…Bobby Miller finds himself at a crossroads in his career. Whether [2024] was an aberration or the new normal is entirely up to him. Fixing his fastball has to be the top priority. His floor is now likely trade piece for players who will help defend the Dodgers’ title…
Miller’s comeback attempt in 2025 started ignominiously with his first Spring Training outing, where he took a Michael Busch-comebacker to the head that looked far worse than what it was. Miller underwent concussion protocol and had his spring training delayed.
Miller did not make the Tokyo Series roster but was built up enough to jump into the Triple-A rotation at Oklahoma City to start the year. Miller’s first two starts in OKC were fine, which was leaps and bounds better than last year. Apart from being pulled early from his third start, for an impending call-up, Miller pitched 4⅔ and five innings in his other two starts. In all, Miller in Triple-A had a 2.25 ERA in 12 innings, though with 11 walks and 11 strikeouts.
The Dodgers’ rotation was battered in early April, necessitating Miller to provide coverage against the Colorado Rockies. The Dodgers staked Miller to a large early lead, and Miller did have his strikeout pitches working on April 16, giving at least some hope that Miller would get a couple of turns into the rotation.
Miller did strike out seven, but managed almost to cough up a six-run lead in record time, reverting to his 2024 form. Two home runs later, Miller’s night was done, and he did not start again for the Dodgers in 2025.
Dave Roberts summed things up about Miller after the disastrous start:
“When you get a 7-1 lead, you’ve got to be able to go deeper into the game. You have to. You have to be able to chew up outs, you’ve got to get count leverage. [The Rockies are] a young, aggressive ballclub swinging the bat. You just can’t get behind,” manager Dave Roberts said after Wednesday’s game, as shown on SportsNet LA. “Bobby’s just got to learn to navigate innings better, and get deeper in games.”
At this point, one would be tempted to copy and paste the 2024 review, update the dates, see if there are any cheeky comparisons to Trey Yesavage to make, and call it a day.
Miller generally underwhelmed while pitching in the rotation at Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2025. He posted a 5.63 ERA, over 70 1/3 innings with Oklahoma City, but with nearly as many walks (49) as strikeouts (58). His 15.2-percent walk rate in Triple-A this season as a starter was almost double his career rates both in the majors (8.1 percent) and minors (8.3 percent through 2024).
By the end of July, the Dodgers had seen enough and moved Miller to the bullpen to try to salvage his career.
It was a mixed bag for Miller. In 19 games, Miller pitched 21 1/3 innings with a 0-3 record and a 5.91 ERA. He struck out 26 while walking 12. While pitching in relief in the minors, he had a FIP of 3.97 and a WHIP of 1.31.
In this role, Miller made a single appearance for the Dodgers as a reliever in a mop-up role in New York against the Mets.
The most significant hurdle for Miller going forward may be mental. Miller still has his fastball velocity and his other pitches. Still, he would likely be wise to contact the same personnel who helped Roki Sasaki rediscover the effectiveness of his fastball.
If Miller were a mid-tier prospect, these numbers would be acceptable. But considering that Miller was on the fast track to being the next stalwart in the Dodgers’ rotation, Miller is rapidly running out of time to reinvent himself, much less stick in the majors. At this point, if Miller could turn himself into the next Braydon Fisher in 2026, Miller could regain a foothold on the Major League roster. But said hope might be a pipe dream.
With one option year remaining, it seems likely that Miller’s days in the organization are numbered, barring a spectacular turnaround. At this rate, if Miller is moved now, the Dodgers would be selling low, which is not their usual modus operandi.
Stats: (With LA) 2 G, 5 IP, 7 K, 1 BB, 12.60 ERA, 4.29 FIP, 7.31 xERA, 2.600 WHIP, -.3 rWAR, -.1 fWAR
Miller had two appearances with the Dodgers in 2025. His debut was a disaster; therefore, by default, his Game of the Year was his mop-up appearance against the Mets on May 24th. He did not strike anyone out and gave up a single run in two innings of work.
Miller has 1 year, 119 days of service time, is on the 40-man roster, and has one option year remaining.