Wade Miley, a left-handed pitcher, has had a rollercoaster of a career in Major League Baseball. From early success with the Arizona Diamondbacks to struggles with injuries and inconsistency, Miley has seen it all.
However, he had a resurgent season with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018, which helped him salvage his career. In this blog, we’ll explore Miley’s career journey, from his early years to his recent performance, and take a look at what the future might hold for this veteran pitcher.
Early Career
Wade Miley was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first round of the 2008 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2011, pitching in 8 games and posting a 4.50 ERA.
Miley’s rookie season in 2012 was a standout year for the left-hander. He posted a 16-11 record with a 3.33 ERA in 194.2 innings pitched, finishing second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. Miley’s success continued into the 2013 season, where he went 10-10 with a 3.55 ERA in 33 starts.
In 2014, Miley’s performance began to decline, as he posted a 4.34 ERA in 33 starts. He was then traded to the Boston Red Sox in the offseason, where he struggled with consistency and posted a 5.37 ERA in 2015.
In 2016 and 2017, Miley’s struggles continued as he bounced around between the Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles. He posted a 5.37 ERA in 2016 and a 5.61 ERA in 2017. Despite the rough couple of seasons, Miley was able to bounce back in a big way in 2018.
Struggles and Revival in Milwaukee
After struggling with consistency and injuries in 2016 and 2017, Wade Miley found himself without a team heading into the 2018 season. However, he signed a minor-league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers in February of that year.
Miley began the 2018 season in the minors but was quickly called up to the majors in May. He made an immediate impact, posting a 2.12 ERA in his first five starts with the Brewers. Miley’s performance continued to impress throughout the season, as he posted a 2.57 ERA in 16 starts.
Miley’s resurgent season was a major factor in the Brewers’ success that year. They made it to the National League Championship Series, with Miley pitching in three games and posting a 1.23 ERA.
Although the Brewers ultimately fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games, Miley’s performance had put him back on the radar of MLB teams.
Overall, Miley’s performance in 2018 was a significant turnaround from his struggles in the previous two seasons. He was able to rediscover his form and prove that he still had what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Houston Astros and Injuries
Following his impressive 2018 campaign, Wade Miley signed a one-year deal with the Houston Astros in 2019. He had a solid season with the team, posting a 14-6 record with a 3.98 ERA in 33 starts.
Miley played a key role in the Astros’ playoff run, but they ultimately fell short in the World Series against the Washington Nationals.
In 2020, Miley struggled with injuries and inconsistency. He made just 9 starts for the Cincinnati Reds, posting a 5.65 ERA before being traded to the Houston Astros. With the Astros, Miley made just 7 starts, posting a 3.97 ERA before the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Miley returned to the Cincinnati Reds in 2021, signing a two-year deal with the team. However, he was traded back to the Astros midway through the season in exchange for a couple of prospects. Miley made just 4 starts with the Astros, posting a 4.30 ERA before being sidelined with a foot injury.
Despite his injury issues, Miley was able to contribute to the Astros’ playoff run, making two starts and posting a 1.13 ERA. However, the Astros were eliminated by the Boston Red Sox in the American League Championship Series.
Overall, Miley’s time with the Astros was marked by a solid 2019 season and injury struggles in 2020 and 2021. He was able to make a positive contribution to the team, but injuries prevented him from being a consistent presence in the rotation.
Return to Cincinnati and Recent Performance
Wade Miley returned to the Cincinnati Reds in 2021, signing a two-year deal worth $15 million. He had a solid season with the team, posting a 12-6 record with a 3.57 ERA in 26 starts. Miley’s performance earned him the National League Pitcher of the Month award for May 2021.
However, Miley’s 2022 season was plagued by injuries. He made just 11 starts for the Reds, posting a 3-6 record with a 5.19 ERA before being placed on the injured list with a neck strain in July. He was also dealing with back issues earlier in the season, which caused him to miss some time.
Miley was eventually traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in August, but he did not make any appearances for the team due to his injury issues. His contract with the Reds expired at the end of the 2022 season, making him a free agent.
As of May 2023, Miley remains unsigned, but he will likely draw interest from teams looking for a veteran left-handed pitcher. Despite his injury issues in recent years, Miley has shown that he can still be an effective starter when healthy, and he could be a valuable addition to a team in need of pitching depth.
Wade Miley’s Mlb Career Statistics
| Season | Team(s) | W-L Record | ERA | Games Started | Innings Pitched | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | ARI | 1-1 | 4.50 | 7 | 18.0 | 13 |
| 2012 | ARI | 16-11 | 3.33 | 32 | 194.2 | 144 |
| 2013 | ARI | 10-10 | 3.55 | 33 | 202.2 | 147 |
| 2014 | ARI | 8-12 | 4.34 | 33 | 201.1 | 183 |
| 2015 | BOS | 11-11 | 4.46 | 32 | 193.2 | 147 |
| 2016 | SEA/BAL | 9-13 | 5.37 | 30 | 166.0 | 117 |
| 2017 | BAL | 8-15 | 5.61 | 32 | 157.1 | 142 |
| 2018 | MIL | 5-2 | 2.57 | 16 | 80.2 | 50 |
| 2019 | HOU | 14-6 | 3.98 | 33 | 167.1 | 140 |
| 2020 | CIN/HOU | 1-4 | 5.65 | 9 | 39.1 | 27 |
| 2021 | CIN/HOU | 12-6 | 3.57 | 26 | 138.0 | 113 |
| 2022 | CIN/TOR | 3-6 | 5.19 | 11 | 52.0 | 40 |
Note: W-L record stands for wins-losses record.
FAQs
How has Wade Miley’s pitching style evolved over the course of his career?
Early in his career, Miley relied heavily on his fastball and slider, but in recent years, he has added a cutter to his repertoire. He has also worked to improve his control and pitch selection, leading to more consistent performances on the mound.
What role has Wade Miley played in the community throughout his career?
Miley has been involved in a number of charitable organizations throughout his career, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Red Cross. He has also been active in supporting military families and veterans through organizations like the USO.
How has Wade Miley’s performance in the postseason compared to his regular-season performance?
Miley has made several appearances in the postseason throughout his career, and his performance has generally been solid. In 12 playoff appearances, he has a 3.42 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 26.1 innings pitched.
What other teams have expressed interest in signing Wade Miley as a free agent?
There have been no reports of specific teams showing interest in Miley as a free agent yet. However, as a veteran left-handed pitcher, he could potentially draw interest from a number of teams in need of pitching depth.
Conclusion
Wade Miley’s MLB career has had its share of ups and downs. After a strong start to his career with the Arizona Diamondbacks, he struggled with consistency and injuries during his time with the Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, and Baltimore Orioles.
However, Miley was able to turn things around with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018, posting a resurgent season that helped him salvage his career.
Miley’s solid performance with the Houston Astros in 2019 and his return to form with the Cincinnati Reds in 2021 showed that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level. However, his injury struggles in 2020 and 2022 have limited his playing time in recent years.
As a current free agent, Miley’s future in the league is uncertain. However, his experience and past success make him an attractive option for teams in need of pitching depth.
Regardless of what the future holds, Miley’s career journey serves as a reminder of the ups and downs that can come with life in the MLB.
