Bryce Miller looking good for Mariners but still plenty to work on

Arguably underrated at times, Bryce Miller had a positive first spring training start for the Mariners, but won’t be resting on his laurels.

Thursday saw the first split-squad games of this year’s spring training for the Seattle Mariners, as they played in Peoria against the San Francisco Giants and on the road versus the Texas Rangers. However, the day also marked the 2025 debut of Bryce Miller, who made his first start this year in facing the Giants at the Peoria Sports Complex.

Working on a limited pitch count, Miller looked effective against the Giants as he went 1.2 innings and 29 pitches. He allowed no hits or runs as well as one walk, while he also struck out three opposing batters and produced 15 called strikes.

Bryce Miller discusses his spring training debut

It is of course challenging to get anything going when you are seeing so little action, but Miller appreciates this is the way it goes at this stage of the year. Speaking to the media after the Giants game, he said:

“It’s tough whenever you have a short pitch count. I didn’t get to the hard slider, but I just tried to work counts. I didn’t get ahead at all today, so I still need to focus on that and just on throwing different pitches, but as we build up and start getting deeper into games, it’ll be easier to get through all seven (of my pitches).”

Miller was also asked about the difference in between doing work during the winter compared to once you reach spring training. He said:

“Most of the offseason you’re focused on shape and trying to adjust and improve stuff. (Then) as spring training moves forward you still focus on that, but … once we get in-season it’s not about pitch shapes, it’s about getting ahead and attacking with what you have. So earlier in spring it’s alright, but as spring goes on I’d like to be more ahead in counts and less focused on pitch shapes.”

A new weapon for the Mariners in 2025

Another interesting aspect, was the 26-year-old deciding to feature the cutter more in his throwing arsenal. Asked about what motivated him to emphasize this particular pitch, he said:

“It had really good success in the limited attempts that I used it last year. I think just going off of how the sinker helped me with righties, just using something similar to lefties. (For example) behind in counts or early in counts, getting a ground ball, getting through at-bats a little quicker for lefties specifically, I think it will get me deeper into games and maybe later in games get me out of jams and stuff. So it’s just something else to throw in there and have for the hitter in the back of their minds.”

As is the case with all of the young pitchers in the Mariners rotation, it is good that Miller is always trying to improve his game and add new wrinkles. This alludes to both the quality of the starters as a collective, as well as the sense of competition and camaraderie between them all, looking to push both themselves and each other further.

• Exploring Jadarian Price’s Impact on Seahawks’ Offense
• Seattle Storm’s Preseason Breakdown: Stats and Highlights
• Mariners complete strong road trip but Matt Brash causes concern
• Key Takeaways from Seattle Storm’s Thrilling Preseason Match
• FIFA Empowers Afghan Women Footballers with Historic Regulation Change

Underrated but invaluable to the Mariners

In respect of the Mount Pleasant Texas native specifically, you can make the case he is underrated at times, in part because of his unassuming and slender appearance. However, the reality is that he is an extremely valuable part of arguably the best rotation in the Majors.

Miller came on in leaps and bounds last year, building significantly on a promising debut season in 2023. He went 180.1 combined innings in 31 starts, led all Mariners pitchers with a 3.4 WAR, was second among the starters with a 2.94 ERA and also produced a 3.58 FIP and 0.976 WHIP.

At the same time however, the 2021 fourth round draft pick still has work to do and knows he is far from the finished product. A prime example of this — even allowing for all the other factors involved — was his 1.96 EA at home compared to 4.07 on the road, which was the biggest disparity among all Mariners starters last year.

Ultimately though, Miller is a quietly confident person who will continue to find ways to be better on the mound, which can only help the Mariners in their pursuit of a return to the playoffs in 2025. In this respect, it will be no surprise if the right-handed pitcher is even better this coming season.

What kind of success are you predicting for Bryce Miller in 2025? Will he be comparable to last season, better, or worse, and why? Let us know in the comments section below.