Jake Miller Scouting Report

Jake Miller Physical Description

Jake Miller is a 6’2″, 185-pound left-handed pitcher born on June 27, 2001, in Suffern, New York. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the eighth round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Valparaiso University. ​

Fastball – 50

Miller’s four-seam fastball sits around 92-93 mph and can touch up to 94-95 mph. The pitch exhibits above-average induced vertical break (IVB), creating a rising effect that contributes to its effectiveness. His deceptive three-quarter delivery adds to the fastball’s success, despite not possessing elite velocity. ​

Slider – 55

He employs two variations of the slider: a gyro slider and a sweeper. The gyro slider is thrown harder with tighter movement, while the sweeper offers more horizontal break. Both versions have been effective in generating swings and misses. ​

Changeup – 45

Miller’s changeup sits in the mid-80s and exhibits heavy fading action. It serves as a valuable third offering, especially against right-handed hitters, and has shown a whiff rate exceeding 50%. ​

Overall Outlook

In the 2024 season, Miller demonstrated significant progress, posting a 1.85 ERA over 87.1 innings across various minor league levels, including a brief appearance in Double-A Erie. He recorded 104 strikeouts against 17 walks, showcasing improved command and pitch effectiveness. He was the only pitcher in 2024 who moved up three levels. 

His deceptive delivery and ability to mix pitches make him an intriguing left-handed option for the Tigers. If he continues to refine his command and build upon his 2024 performance, Miller could develop into a valuable asset, as a versatile bullpen piece at the major league level, in a system that could use more swing and miss lefties.