Tyson Miller is an MLB ready prospect in the Chicago Cubs organization. He's an unranked prospect, who began with the Cubs as a 20 year old college pitcher in 2016. After working his way up very efficiently, he made two appearances for the Cubs in 2020, throwing 5 innings as a 24 year old. In a normal world, he figures to be AAAA depth for 2021 as he continues to develop.
Miller started 74 out of 85 games at the minor league level, averaging about 5.5 innings per start. He allowed an acceptable number of hits and homers, and had reasonable walk and hit rates as well. His strikeout rate wasn't superb, as he figures to be a bit of a contact manager.
Tyson Miller throws five pitches:
Fourseam Fastball:94 mph
Sinker: 94mph
Changeup: 87 mph
Slider: 86 mph
Curve: 82mph
Per Brooks Baseball:
His fourseam fastball has heavy sinking action, is basically never swung at and missed compared to other pitchers' fourseamers, generates a very high amount of groundballs compared to other pitchers' fourseamers, has less armside movement than typical and has essentially average velo.
His change is basically never swung at and missed compared to other pitchers' changeups, has surprising cut action, is much firmer than usual and results in more flyballs compared to other pitchers' changeups.
His slider generates an extremely high number of swings & misses compared to other pitchers' sliders, is an extreme flyball pitch compared to other pitchers' sliders and has some two-plane movement.
His sinker generates an extremely high number of swings & misses compared to other pitchers' sinkers, is an extreme flyball pitch compared to other pitchers' sinkers, has well above average velo, has slight armside run and has some natural sinking action.
His curve is basically never swung at and missed compared to other pitchers' curves, is much harder than usual, results in more flyballs compared to other pitchers' curves and has primarily 12-6 movement.
I see a mixed bag when reading those pitch descriptions. A very high amount of ground balls off a primary pitch (his fastball) is good. But note how it's not swing and miss stuff. His other four pitches are described as fly ball pitches. That worries me, if MLB hitters can drive it out of the park. The sinker and slider and both extreme fly ball pitches.
Miller's assortment of pitches should help him hopefully become a starter at the big league level. Looking as his pitch chart, he has a 12 MPH difference from fastest pitch to slowest, with his changeup and slider being right in the middle of that range. All of his pitches have good movement, which is a huge plus.
Fastball:
Sinker:
Changeup:
Slider:
Curve:
Looking at the data and visuals, I think Miller can be a decent pitcher for the Cubs. He's not going to strikeout MLB hitters at elevated rates, but he might be able to limit contact well. If he can prevent sharp contact and get some grounders, he might be able to come in as a reliable 5th starter. I hope to see more of him.