Ian Miller Professional Statistics
Mariners Extend 22 Non-Roster Invitational To Their Big League Spring Training (Ryan Divish, Seattle Times)
Outfielder Ian Miller And Pitcher Nick Neidert Headline Mariners 2017 Minor League Award Winners (Ryan Divish, Seattle Times)
Peoria, AZ | Seattle, WA – Former Wagner baseball standout,
Ian Miller ('13), is among 22 non-roster players invited to the Seattle Mariners' Spring Training next month, the club announced on Tuesday.
Miller is the second former Seahawk to receive an invitation to a major league spring training camp, joining former teammate
Nick Dini ('15),
who earned a non-roster invitation to the Kansas City Royals camp.
The Downingtown, PA native is
currently ranked the No. 20 prospect in the Mariners organization, and is one of five outfielders to the Mariners' big league camp, joining Braden Bishop (No. 4 prospect ), John Andreoli, Andrew Aplin, and Kirk Nieuwenhuis.
"Ian's invitational to spring training is very exciting and an opportunity that he has earned," commented head coach Jim Carone. "As he builds on his experiences from last year, we are thrilled to follow Ian's progress this spring as he is close to making his MLB debut."
For Miller, this marks the fourth straight season that he has earned an invitation to spring training, as he appeared in 13 spring training games in 2017, stealing five bases while being caught just once.
"I'm truly appreciative to have received this opportunity to compete in spring training," Miller commented. "With this now my fourth spring training, I am going to continue to work on controlling what I can control while sticking to a consistent approach day in and day out, and I believe the rest will take care of itself."
Miller had a tremendous 2017 campaign, starting the year at Double-A where he played 83 games for the Arkansas Travelers. In 344 at-bats, the former 2013 All-Northeast Conference (NEC) First Team selection batted .326, which finished him in a tie for the Texas League batting title with Matt Beaty of the Tulsa Drillers (Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers). Additionally, Miller rapped out with 112 base hits, which included 18 doubles, four home runs, and three triples.
A speedster on the bases, as he is ranked No. 2 on the Wagner all-time stolen base list with 93, Miller swiped 30 bases for the Travelers in 2017, second-most in the Texas League while only being caught four times. Miller posted his highest slugging percentage in his four-year professional career this season at Arkansas, as he slugged .430. This season also marked Miller's highest OPS (on-base plus slugging percentages), as he finished his time in Arkansas with a .812 OPS, fourth-highest among all Texas League players. The Texas League announced that Miller was named a Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star.
After being promoted to Triple-A Tacoma back on July 22, he made an early positive impact, going 2-for-4 with a run scored in the Rainiers' 4-1 home victory over the Sacramento River Cats (Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants). Over the first three games of his Triple-A career, Miller went 5-for-11 (.455) with two runs scored and a double. For Tacoma, in a total of 41 games, Miller batted .268 with 22 runs scored, four doubles, two triples and 13 stolen bases, only being caught one time.
"The experience making the jump from Double A to Triple A wasn't a difficult one as I continued to adhere to the advice of my coaches and continue to put in the work everyday ," recalled Miller. "There are some tendencies that are different from each level, but as a hitter, you just need to make your adjustments while not deviating from your regular routine."
For his entire 2017 season, Miller posted a .307 combined batting average (157-for-512) in 124 games between Arkansas and Tacoma. He scored 85 runs with 22 doubles, five triples, and 43 stolen bases while being caught just five times. His total OPS for the year was .748 (.355 on-base percentage) (.393 slugging percentage).
"My playing style hasn't changed much from my days at Wagner," said Miller. "I have always considered myself an 'underrated' player with something to prove. From the time I walked on at Wagner, I knew that my demeanor and my work ethic was going to be a vital part of my success on the field. I am fortunate that the Mariners organization was able to see the results and make me a part of their great organization."
At season's end, Miller was tabbed the 2017 Ken Griffey Jr. Minor League Hitter of the Year by the organization and was recognized in a pre-game ceremony at Safeco Field prior to the Mariners hosting the Oakland Athletics back on September 22.
"I was excited to be honored as the 2017 Ken Griffey Jr. Minor League Hitter of the Year Award winner," the former two-time All-Northeast Conference (NEC) league performer said. "I knew I was in the midst of a big season, but to be recognized by the entire Mariner organization with the top offensive award that is named for arguably one of the game's best players, it truly was a rewarding and humbling honor."
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