Seattle Mariners select RHP Bryce Miller (Texas A&M) in fourth round (pick 114) of 2021 MLB Draft

After three straight preparation picks, the Mariners returned to their comfort zone in the fourth round, removing RHP Bryce Miller of Texas A&M with the 114th pick in the 2021 MLB Draft.

Miller began his college career at JC, Blinn College in Brenham, TX, before moving on to Texas A&M. In his sophomore year, he pitched exclusively out of the bullpen for the Aggies, racking up a 3.68 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 44 innings, but as a senior (skipping season numbers shortened by the pandemic ) making occasional starts, his ERA swelled to 4.45 as he struggled to control his business consistently game after game, although he maintained his excellent strikeout rate: 70 in 56 , 2 sleeves.

Miller probably looks better as a reliever for Seattle; he’s got a mid-90s fastball that goes up in the zone which is his primary weapon, and a tight slider that could be his second throw out of the pen. If he stays in the rotation, he will need to fine-tune his heavy, slow curve or change in stroke to give him an average or better third pitch.

Just as Morales is an interesting choice as a refined high school branch with fewer perks present, Miller is a less refined college branch with an intriguing advantage. Our Joe Doyle spoke to Miller a while ago about the possibility of going on the mound:

Plus, if Miller starts at Modesto, he’ll fit right into the mustache lifter pen: