Brad Miller Plays Wherever Rangers Want

Brad Miller, a 10-year veteran, has already played first base in Spring Training and he'll likely pick up more positions this month.

Oh, the places Texas Rangers veteran Brad Miller will go this spring.

First base? Already been there. Designated hitter? Done that. Third base? Probably. Left field? Definitely at some point.

Anywhere else? Well, that’s up Rangers manager Bruce Bochy.

And wherever the Rangers want Miller to play is fine by the 10-year veteran entering the second season of his two-year deal.

“That’s kind of what I do,” Miller said. "I want to be able to fill a bunch of different positions and I’m very comfortable filling in where ever I’m needed. Anything to get my bat in the lineup.”

So far this spring Miller has played three games at first base and one at DH. Bochy has said he wants to move Miller around more, probably getting him to left field and third base at some point. During Spring Training last year, the Rangers used him primarily at the latter two positions.

Versatility has been a hallmark throughout Miller’s career. Look at his career fielding log and you’ll find a player that has logged time at every position on the diamond except pitcher and catcher.

Last year he played three positions in the field for the Rangers — left field, right field and third base — along with DH.

But his bat wasn’t there. He batted .212/.270/.320/.598 in 81 games, scoring 20 runs. He hit three doubles, seven home runs and drove in 32 runs. He also walked 17 times and struck out 70 times.

This is a hitter that at one time hit 30 home runs for Tampa Bay in 2016 and 20 with Philadelphia in 2021.

But his batting average has dropped each of the last three seasons. Last season’s .212 was the second-worst of his career.

So far in spring, Miller is batting .333 in 12 at-bats with a home run and three RBI.

So being able to play multiple positions is key because he’s competing with a group of players that need to show versatility to make the Opening Day roster, including Josh Smith, Ezequiel Duran, Bubba Thompson and Mark Mathias.

These days, Miller admits he’s balancing trying to make sure he makes the team with helping those players get better, too.

“I just try to set a good example by how I carry myself and how I act and if anybody needs something and approaches me for advice or wisdom, I try to share my experience,” Miller said. “I think the main thing is to lead by example.”

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