Phillies Season in Review: Brad Miller

Inside the Phillies continues their season in review series with Philadelphia Phillies infielder Brad Miller.

© Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

Brad Miller won Philadelphia Phillies fans over in his first stint with the club in 2019 after adopting a "lucky bamboo" plant to turn the team's luck around.

Miller then signed with the St. Louis Cardinals as a free agent that offseason and found success with them during the shortened 2020 season.

When "Bamboo Brad" was once again a free agent, the Phillies decided a reunion was in order and signed him on February 17, 2021.

Miller's role as a utility player expanded as the 2021 season progressed due to the amount of injuries the Phillies sustained to most of their starting lineup, including Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, Rhys Hoskins, and Didi Gregorius.

He appeared in 140 games at nearly every position, with the bulk of them as a first baseman (58), outfielder (20), or a pinch hitter (56), while collecting 79 starts.

Just like his positioning on the field, his offense this season was a bit scattered. Miller is the type of player who either looks like the best homerun hitter in the world or is virtually invisible in the starting lineup. There's really no in between for the 31-year-old.

In 377 plate appearances, Miller hit .227/.321/.453 with 75 hits, including 20 homeruns, 49 RBI, 45 walks, and 53 runs scored. However, he also struck out 112 times.

Miller's specialty is the long ball, and he was the star of some big moments for the Phillies this past season. 

© Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

On July 8, Miller became the first Phillie since Jayson Werth in 2008 to hit three home runs in a game. Miller collected five RBI in the 8-0 victory against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. It was also the first three-homer game of Miller's career.

A few weeks later, on July 29, Miller hit a walk-off grand slam to finish off a Phillies comeback win versus the Washington Nationals. Philadelphia, after being down 7-0, came back to win 11-8. It was the first time since 2010 in which the Phillies completed a victory after being down by a deficit of seven or more runs.

Miller also picked up his 100th career home run on May 25 against the Miami Marlins.

There's no question about it—Miller more than fulfilled that of the typical role as a bench player in 2021 for the Phillies; he served the team in whatever position they threw him into.

Now it's up to President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski and the organization to decide if they wish to bring Miller back for 2022. Perhaps in a more subordinate role, Miller would still be serviceable to the team.

More From SI's Inside The Phillies:

• Bryce Named a Finalist for Hank Aaron Award
• Phillies Season in Review: Alec Bohm
• Report: Phillies Fielding Calls on Top Prospect Stott

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