Justin Miller

Justin Ryan Miller (born June 13, 1987) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals, and St. Louis Cardinals.

Amateur career Miller graduated from Ridgeview High School in Bakersfield, California, and played college baseball for Bakersfield College and Fresno State University. He was a member of the 2008 College World Series-champion Fresno State Bulldogs baseball team. After the 2008 season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

Professional career Texas Rangers The Texas Rangers drafted Miller in the 16th round (483rd overall) of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft. He began his professional career in 2008 with the Rangers′ Class A-Short Season affiliate, the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League, making 14 appearances and posting an earned run average (ERA) of 5.06 with 24 strikeouts and 12 walks in 21 innings of work, going 2-for-2 in save opportunities.

Miller split the 2009 season among three teams, starting with eight games with the Arizona League Rangers in the rookie–level Arizona League, where he pitched to a 1.08 ERA in 8 innings with 10 strikeouts and a walk, going 2-for-2 in save opportunities. The Texas Rangers added Miller to their 40-man roster after the 2011 season to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.

After undergoing ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, popularly known as "Tommy John surgery," Miller missed the entire 2012 season, but he returned to action with Frisco in May 2013, pitching 16 innings in 16 appearances with a 1–0 record, an ERA of 6.19, 21 strikeouts, seven walks, and two saves in three opportunities.

Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers signed Miller on September 18, 2013, and added him to their 40-man roster on November 20, 2013. He started the 2014 season in the Triple–A International League with the Toledo Mud Hens. The Tigers optioned him back to Toledo on April 26, Miller elected free agency on November 3. After he attended extended spring training in 2018, He elected free agency on October 1, 2019.

Miller signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on December 2, 2019. Miller did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Miller was traded to the Cincinnati Reds on September 15, 2020, in exchange for international cap space. He became a free agent on November 2.

Washington Nationals (second stint) On February 23, 2021, Miller signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals organization. He was assigned to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings to begin the season. After recording a stellar 0.55 ERA in 13 appearances, on June 15, Miller was selected to the active roster. Miller struggled to a 15.00 ERA in 5 appearances with the Nationals before being designated for assignment on June 29.

St. Louis Cardinals On July 2, 2021, Miller was claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals. Miller made 18 appearances for the Cardinals, going 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA and 9 strikeouts. On October 27, Miller elected free agency.

Charleston Dirty Birds On April 21, 2022, Miller signed with the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Miller struggled to a 7.20 ERA in 5 appearances for Charleston before he was released by the team on May 2.