It is not everyday that a team calls up their top prospect but with the September call-up’s in effect teams are taking advantage of the extra roster space and expanding their teams. The Cardinals are no exception, they have already recalled Bryan Anderson, Sam Freeman, and Victor Marte. While Ryan Jackson, Adron Chambers will join the team tomorrow along with Shelby Miller. How much impact will Miller have on the club? Well it might be minimal, he is expected to just be a reliever, but he might make a start somewhere along the road. 

Miller, 21 was drafted by the Cardinals in the first round, 19th overall in the 2009 amateur draft. Miller was then a highly touted high school pitcher from Texas.  Miller quickly gained recognition in the Cardinals system being ranked the 50th prospect in all of baseball in 2010 by Baseball America.  In 2011 Baseball America ranked Miller the 13th best prospect in all of baseball, and prior to the 2012 season he was ranked the 8th best prospect in all of baseball.

Miller the hard throwing right handed starting pitcher put up great numbers in all levels prior to 2012. After a pitiful first half, followed by a resurgent second half, Miller posted an 11-10 record with a 4.74 ERA with 160 strikeouts in 138.1 innings pitched. This has been a poor season for Miller, but his strong second half showed the Cardinals he was worth the look this season, instead of waiting another year to get a glimpse of the young star.

In parts of four minor league seasons with the Cardinals spanning from 2009-2012, Miller has a 29-21 record, 3.73 ERA, 472 K’s 138 BB’s, in 78 starts (383.3 innings.)  Miller may not make that much of an impact in 2012, but think a few years back to the kind of impression David Price left on the Rays back in 2008, since then Price has been one of the best pitchers in the AL, and possibly could be the 2012 Cy Young winner. Miller may just add that spark and flare that the Cardinals need, now only if another top prospect ~cough~ Oscar Taveras ~cough~ could get the call up.