Bryce Miller named Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Week

SEC Pitcher of the Week. Golden Spikes Award Performance of the Week.

Texas A&M fireballer Bryce Miller picked up both of those honors following a dominant outing on Saturday afternoon against New Mexico State. The right-hander punched out 15 batters without allowing a single walk, giving up just four hits across seven scoreless innings. 

Blowing his mid-90s fastball by hitters and utilizing a four-pitch mix, Miller lifted the Maroon & White to a 5-0 win on Saturday, helping seal the series victory over the visiting NMSU Aggies in the process. After the game, Miller was more pleased with the goose egg in the base-on-balls column than he was with his 15 punchouts —  a career-high.

2021 is Miller’s first season as a starting pitcher since he starred at New Braunfels High School and has traditionally been used as a backend bullpen arm since beginning his collegiate career at Blinn. Earning the nod as A&M’s Opening Day starter, he has posted a 2-0 record with 2.30 ERA through three starts and has struck out a team-high 27 batters over 15.2 innings pitched.

Following the departure of Asa Lacy and Christian Roa, Texas A&M’s starting rotation was expected to be a little thin heading into this season. Thanks to Miller’s emergence as a starter along with Dustin Saenz and Jonathan Childress, that concern has quickly been silenced as the Aggies’ pitching staff appears to be as good as ever.

Through the first three weeks of 2021, A&M pitchers lead the Southeastern Conference in strikeouts and strikeouts looking. If the pitching staff can continue to stymie opposing bats, the Aggies will have a chance to win quite a few tight ballgames when league play begins.

Rob Childress & Co. will undoubtedly turn to Miller for more dominance as the year progresses as the Aggies certainly know his talent level. Saturday just woke up the rest of the college baseball landscape.