The Diamondbacks on Thursday announced that they've optioned right-hander Shelby Miller back to the minors -- to Triple-A Reno, to be exact.
Miller, 25, was of course acquired this past offseason from the Braves in a deal that sent shortstop Dansby Swanson (the top overall pick of the 2015 draft), outfielder Ender Inciarte, and right-hander Aaron Blair. Needless to say, that was a very steep price to pay, and this Miller move shows just how poorly the deal has worked out for Arizona thus far.
Here's what Miller had to say about that:
#Dbacks Miller: "I'll take the time to go down there and work things out and hopefully come back pitching better obviously."
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) July 14, 2016
In 14 starts this season, the right-hander has pitched to a 7.14 ERA and a 1.47 K/BB ratio -- career-worst marks, both. Along the way, Miller's struggled badly with his mechanics.
Miller seems to have the proper attitude about being optioned, as he realizes he needs a "reboot" of the sort he can't get at the big-league level. There's no doubt he has ability; he finished third in the NL Rookie of the Year balloting in 2013 and made the All-Star team last year. He's also young enough to get his career back to where it needs to be.
This is looking like a lost season for the Diamondbacks, but Miller, who's under team control through the 2018 season, has substantial future value to the organization. Now it's time to fix him. Whether a high-altitude ballpark in the PCL is the place to do that is another discussion.
