The Texas A&M Aggies baseball team had a rough 2021 season. With a 9-21 record against Southeastern Conference opponents, hopes of a prosperous postseason were dashed.
The Aggies have seen plenty of players taken in the MLB Draft over the years, and despite the struggles, this year will be no different.
Starting pitcher Bryce Miller has taken the reins as the ace of the program in College Station, and he's put up some impressive results.
The right-hander played at New Braunfels High School before starting his college baseball career at Blinn College. His time with the Aggies has taken his game to new heights and propelled his draft stock as well.
RHP Bryce Miller at Texas A&M University
Bryce Miller's 13th, 14th and 15th Ks...and Sword. ⚔️
0BBs T98mph pic.twitter.com/5LNJmM6yMx
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 7, 2021
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While playing at Blinn, Bryce Miller was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the 38th round of the 2018 MLB Draft, but he couldn't be dissuaded from his commitment to College Station.
He started in the Aggies' bullpen in 2019 and was lights out. He struck out 43 batters in 28.2 IP to the tune of a 2.51 ERA. He struggled in a handful of games in 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic canceled the remainder of the NCAA college baseball season.
Despite his sterling reputation in the bullpen, former Aggies head coach Rob Childress wanted to see what Miller had as a starter. A positive COVID-19 test briefly paused his season, but the results were there.
In nearly 60 innings, Miller generated 70 strikeouts and only gave up eight home runs.
Texas A&M RHP Bryce Miller follows up a strong outing against Oklahoma last week with a gem today.
FB up to 98, sitting 92-97. Mixed in a SL/CB with the latter landing at will @ 75-79. Showed a firm CH. Plus command.
7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB and Career-high 15 K ⬇️#MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/jqJPIsZ9N3
— Ian Smith (@FlaSmitty) March 6, 2021
There are some things Miller can work on, such as control and command, but he held his own in the Southeastern Conference. Playing juggernauts such as Arkansas, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, LSU, and Vanderbilt is never easy.
Texas A&M right hander Bryce Miller touching 96-97 in his first inning of work. ⛽️ @Bryce_miller9 pic.twitter.com/sbrPL5MlFY
— Ryan Brauninger (@R_Brauninger) October 21, 2020
Bryce Miller won't get the benefit of boosting his draft stock with an exceptional postseason, but he appears to be an early-round lock.
Texas A&M baseball has produced some great talent over the years, and the right-hander can be the latest success story. If he can't handle a starter's workload, he'll undoubtedly make any bullpen better.