Shelby Miller, a right-handed pitcher, began his Major League Baseball career with the St. Louis Cardinals. Drafted in the first round of the 2009 MLB Draft, Miller quickly rose through the minor league ranks, showcasing his potential as a starting pitcher. By 2012, he made his MLB debut with the Cardinals, appearing in a few games towards the end of the season.
The following year, Miller secured a spot in the Cardinals' starting rotation. In 2013, he delivered an impressive rookie season, finishing third in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. His performance included a standout game on May 10, 2013, against the Colorado Rockies, where he pitched a one-hit shutout, retiring 27 consecutive batters after allowing a leadoff single. This game highlighted his ability to dominate opposing lineups and solidified his place in the Cardinals' rotation.
Miller continued to pitch for the Cardinals in 2014, contributing to the team's success and helping them reach the postseason. However, in November 2014, he was traded to the Atlanta Braves in a deal that sent outfielder Jason Heyward to St. Louis. With the Braves, Miller became the ace of the pitching staff. Despite his personal success on the mound in 2015, including an All-Star selection, the team struggled, and Miller ended the season with a misleading 6-17 win-loss record, largely due to poor run support.
In December 2015, Miller was traded again, this time to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The trade was notable for the significant package the Braves received in return, including highly regarded prospects. Expectations were high for Miller in Arizona, but his time with the Diamondbacks was marred by injuries and inconsistency. His 2016 season was particularly challenging, as he struggled to find his form and spent time in the minor leagues to work on his mechanics.
Miller's career faced further setbacks when he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2017, sidelining him for the remainder of that season and part of 2018. Upon his return, he made a few appearances for the Diamondbacks but was unable to regain his previous performance levels. After the 2018 season, Miller became a free agent and signed with the Texas Rangers.
His stint with the Rangers in 2019 was short-lived, as he continued to struggle with his command and effectiveness on the mound. The Rangers released him mid-season, and he later signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. However, he did not make any major league appearances for the Brewers.
In 2020, Miller signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs, but the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent shortened season limited his opportunities to return to the majors. He continued to seek a comeback and signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021, though he did not make the major league roster.
Throughout his career, Shelby Miller experienced the highs of being an All-Star and the lows of battling injuries and inconsistency.
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