July 6, 2007

Tigers' Miller riding the learning curve

By Scott DeCamp

DETROIT -- Last June, Andrew Miller was a gangly, baby-faced 21-year-old leading the University of North Carolina to the brink of a national baseball title.

Now, in his first full season as a big-leaguer, the 6-foot-6 left-handed pitcher is in the starting rotation for the reigning American League champion Detroit Tigers. He's even sprouted a little stubble on his chin and above his upper lip.

They grow up so quickly, don't they?

After facing the likes of Cal State-Fullerton and Oregon State on the big stage of the College World Series last year, Miller is under the microscope even more now, taking on teams such as the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox, whom he is scheduled to pitch against tonight at Comerica Park.

``It's been pretty wild, a pretty crazy experience, but I wouldn't trade anything for it,'' Miller said after a pregame workout Tuesday. ``It's been a lot of fun, and it's something I'll never forget.

``I was kind of fortunate to fall in the right situation. It's a winning team, and yet they were still able to get me the opportunity to see what I could do at this level. I don't think there's a situation anywhere else where this could've played out, and I'm certainly happy to be part of it.''

Only two months after being selected sixth overall by the Tigers in Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft, Miller made his big-league debut Aug. 30, 2006, at Yankee Stadium, working a scoreless inning of relief. He appeared in eight games last season and struggled with his control a bit, walking 10 against six strikeouts.

In his first career start, May 18 against St. Louis, Miller picked up the win, allowing no runs and only four hits in six innings.

Admittedly, Miller is still a work in progress. He said he needs to develop a reliable changeup to go along with his slider and mid-90s fastball. His command is also in need of some tweaking, as he's walked 13 in 28 1/3 innings this season.

``Talent is one thing -- his talent is self-evident, and the fact that he throws from the left side is important,'' said veteran lefty Kenny Rogers, one of Miller's many mentors on the Tigers' pitching staff. ``The hard part is putting it all together, and that tells you a lot about how he's able to handle (the pressure).

``Sometimes it's not a good thing to be up here (in the big leagues) that quickly. But certain types, certain guys, can handle that hurdle.''

Tigers hot-shot right-hander Justin Verlander can relate to the accelerated learning curve that Miller is experiencing. It didn't take Verlander long to adjust -- he was the AL Rookie of the Year last season and has 10 wins already this season, including a no-hitter.

``It's a learning process, you know,'' Verlander said. ``It's a tough thing to do (making the adjustment to the big leagues), but he's got the stuff and he's got a good head on his shoulders.''

Miller has long dealt with hype in his baseball career, elevating his performance after being named Florida's Gatorade Player of the Year in 2003 as a senior at Buchholz High School in Gainesville and earning the collegiate national player of the year award at UNC in '06.

As a key piece to one of the best teams in baseball, the stakes are higher than ever and the margin for error smaller than ever, but Miller knows his role is very defined.

``My job isn't to get better or do this or that; my job is to win games here,'' Miller said. ``If it was all about (just trying to get better), I wouldn't be here. It's a situation worth being in.

``You don't want to be in a situation or a job where, `Look, we don't care what happens, we don't care what the outcome is ... enjoy it or take baby steps.' I'd much rather be in a situation where I have a little weight on my shoulders and I'm expected to do a part and help contribute.''