In the first of what should be many "Shelby Miller looks good" articles this spring, Derrick Goold of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch comments on the weight Miller gained this off-season and how he looked in his first bullpen of the spring.
After losing too much weight before spring training last season, which contributed to his slow start to the season, Miller came into camp 20 pounds heavier than last spring, and in a good way. He's going to need the extra weight on his frame if he wants to make it through the long major league season. Miller struggled in the first-half last season before turning himself around and making a late-season cameo in the majors.
Miller is competing with fellow rookie Trevor Rosenthal and second-year man Joe Kelly for the two potential rotation spots. Kelly has the most major league experience, especially in the rotation, but Miller has the highest ceiling of the trio, and is considered the front-runner for any open rotation spot.
Cardinals pitching coach Derek Lilliquist raved about Miller's first bullpen session, which means virtually nothing at this point in February. But with two spots potentially open in the Cardinals rotation, thanks to Chris Carpenter's injury and the uncertainty surrounding Jamie Garcia's return, Miller will have to struggle this spring in order to lose his chance at starting the season in the Cardinals rotation.
