In the News
5/08/06.. Purps 30 .. Purple Row.com
16. Matt Miller - OF
Matt's a solid asset in the system, and definitely a favorite of the Purple Row community, even if he isn't getting much attention from the national prospect pundits. Miller's statistical lines have always been top notch, the only hang-up is that at 23, he's a year or two too old for the prospect gurus to latch on to. Consider, though, that age was the reason these same people discounted the solid numbers Brad Hawpe put up, or Ryan Shealy, or Garrett Atkins. The fact is that the Rockies system is working in developing these players regardless fo their age. Look, if the guy's going to hit, he's going to hit (and Matt certainly will do that) look at the skills, not the birth certificate, people. Anyway, he's also a solid defender. The only problem now is finding a place to put him.
2/8/06..analysis.. Top Prospect Alert.com
Potential -- Everyday Player. The jury is still out on a guy who was nothing more than an after thought before a breakout 2005 campaign. If Miller proves in 2006 that his near triple crown season that earned him Rockies' Minor League Player of the Year, wasn’t an aberration, he has the chance to be special. If he struggles in 2006, people will say he dominated a hitter-friendly league that he was too old for last season.
Risks: Yellow. Miller is the kind of guy who might just end up looking good because he has more experience than the guys he faces in the lower minors, this question will keep him low on many prospect lists until he proves it again and again.
Offense -- While he didn't hit for as much power, Miller did hit .387 his senior year of college to go along with his .331 for Asheville in 2005. At the very least he should be a solid guy who hits for average as long as he plays. At 6-2 210 Lbs. he certainly has the frame to prove his 31 homers last year were no fluke, and given the Rockies recent success with similar prospects recently, it's a pretty good bet he will continue to hit for power. He’ll never steal you many bases, just nine last year, but he has enough speed to hit quite a few doubles combined with solid gap power. Miller is a guy who should steal be available in even most keeper Minor Leagues and is a good pickup as he just might emerge into a top prospect in 2006.
Defense -- Good Enough to Start. Although he is fairly big, Miller has enough athleticism and range to get to what is hit his way in the corner outfield and will never be sat down because of his defense, if he continues to hit.
Position Change -- None in the plans.
Blocked By -- Matt Holliday, Brad Hawpe, Organizational Depth. Hawpe Holliday and even Shealy figure to man down the corner outfielder spots for the next year or two and the Rockies have plenty of other candidates to move into the corner outfield. Miller has to continue to be an undeniable offensive presence to have a spot made for him in Colorado.
ETA -- Mid 2007. A solid season this year and a good start to 2007 should earn Miller a chance in Colorado by the middle of 2007, most likely in a platoon.
Comparison -- Brad Hawpe, Fantasy owners don't have to look too far to find a similar player to Miller. Miller didn't come in with Hawpe's college reputation but Hawpe didn't put up these numbers this early in his Minor League Climb.