Miller started on the 20th (Korean time) in a home game against the Chicago Cubs held at the Oakland Coliseum in California, USA, and recorded 4 hits, 5 strikeouts and 2 runs in 4 1/3 innings. The game on this day was the big league debut of Miller, who joined with the 97th overall in the 3rd round of the 2021 rookie draft. He resigned without a win or loss, and the team lost 2-12, but the local media focused on his story. 메이저놀이터

Miller threw a fiery fastball against the Cubs. According to MLB.com, the official website of the Major League Baseball (MLB), the total number of pitches Miller pitched that day was 81, 53 of which were four-seam fastballs. He was a fastball with an average speed of 99.3 miles per hour (159.8 km) and a top speed of 102.5 miles per hour (165 km). MLB.com said, “I recorded 100 mile (160.9 km/h) pitches 15 times, becoming the 10th starting pitcher in Statcast history to achieve this mark in a single game.” MLB statistics site Baseball Savant counted Miller’s four-seam fastballs that day at 51. Although there are slight differences from site to site, the fact that does not change is a tremendous ‘guy’.

As a sophomore at Waynesburg College, Miller was short-lived. He was 1m96cm tall and weighed only 68kg. While taking a drug test for an internship that summer, Miller noticed that his blood sugar levels were abnormally high. Then in April 2018 he was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. What Miller chose was hope instead of frustration. He adjusted his diet and strengthened his body through strength training. His weight increased to 99.8 kg. Then, a change was detected in his restraint. He increased his four-seam fastball from 87 to 88 miles per hour (140 to 141.6 km/h) to a top of 99 miles per hour (159.3 km/h). Thanks to that, he transferred to Gardner-Webb University, and when he graduated, he went 8-1 with a 3.30 earned run average and 121 strikeouts.

Miller, who achieved his dream of going pro in the 2021 rookie draft, conquered the minor league level step by step. His big league debut before the Cubs was the ‘fruit’ of his diabetes diagnosis five years later. Oakland has only won three (16 losses) in their first 19 games this season. Worst start in franchise history. From the start, the rebuild ran into difficulties. Miller, who made his strong debut, is the club’s new hope. “If you’re an Oakland fan, you’ll be excited about this (Miller’s debut),” Oakland coach Mark Katsay said.