The Cleveland Guardians may be, after all, better than anticipated in 2022.
They are 4-2 to open the year, they extended Jose Ramirez, and Shane Bieber is, by all accounts, healthy.
Not only that, but two of their young projects are starting to develop into really solid major league hitters.
You probably know, at this point, all about Steven Kwan.
However, Owen Miller is another solid, exciting youngster in Cleveland to keep an eye on.
The Guardians’ official Twitter account is making sure Miller also gets his fair share of attention: it’s not all Kwan, after all!
“We’ve talked a lot about José Ramírez and Steven Kwan, and rightfully so. Meanwhile, Owen Miller has slashed a measly .524/.545/1.593 with 5 doubles, 2 homers, and 6 runs batted in #ForTheLand,” they tweeted, with a laughing emoji.
We've talked a lot about José Ramírez and Steven Kwan, and rightfully so.
Meanwhile, Owen Miller has slashed a measly .524/.545/1.593 with 5 doubles, 2 homers, and 6 runs batted in. 🤣#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/1VVC81hujj
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) April 13, 2022
They have every right to hype up and enjoy one of the products of their farm system.
The 25-year-old Miller wasn’t supposed to be playing everyday for the Guardians, as he had a myriad of infield prospects in front of him in the organizational depth chart.
Miller Has Some Skills
But he was a very good prospect in his own right.
Here is FanGraphs’ prospect evaluation on Miller last year (he was ranked 14th in the organization):
“A minimalistic swing enables him to make high rates of contact, while the strength in Miller’s hands generates doubles power. It’s not an exciting, athletic style of hitting but on an inoffensive, fundamentally sound defensive shortstop, it’s a pretty interesting skillset (…) Miller is arguably polished enough to play in the big leagues in 2021.”
He ended up playing quite a bit last year, but wasn’t good: he slashed .204/.243/.309 in 202 plate appearances.
However, he looks much better now.
Could he sustain this level of performance?
Only time will tell, but he has some skills.
NEXT: MLB Insider Breaks Down Jose Ramirez's New Contract