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San Francisco Giants: Players in San Jose to Keep an Eye on in 2017

Justin Rodgers|
Oct 11, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; A general view of ATT&T Park during game four of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball game. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; A general view of ATT&T Park during game four of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball game. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
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Feb 17, 2017; Goodyear, AZ, USA; A baseball sits on the field as Cleveland Indians pitchers throw during a workout at the Goodyear Ballpark practice fields. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 17, 2017; Goodyear, AZ, USA; A baseball sits on the field as Cleveland Indians pitchers throw during a workout at the Goodyear Ballpark practice fields. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
  1. Jalen Miller 2B/SS

Drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the third round of the 2015 draft out of high school. According to The Baseball Draft Report, Miller’s calling card is his defense, although he has made strides as a hitter.

After being drafted, Miller appeared in 44 games for the Giants in the Arizona Fall League. He struggled with the bat in rookie ball, only hitting .218 with an OBP of .292. He had no homeruns, 13 RBI, and had more strikeouts (42) than hits (38). However, he showed his speed and athleticism by stealing 11 bases, while only getting caught twice.

In 2016, Miller played his first full season of professional baseball for the Augusta Green Jackets. In 112 games, Miller struggled once again offensively. He hit .223, an improvement from the previous year, but only had an OBP of .271, which is quite the drop off. He also had more strikeouts than hits once again—striking out 107 times and accumulating 102 hits.

Some positives to take away from his first full professional season is he had 20 doubles, 6 triples, 5 homeruns and 44 RBI. He also stole 11 bases throughout the season. It is unclear at the moment if Miller will be ready for the transition to San Jose to begin the 2017 season, but it is a good possibility that he will sometime during the year. Although he has struggled offensively thus far in his career, it is evident the Giants still think highly of Miller. He is currently the #27th ranked prospect in the organization according to Baseball America, and is often compared to Brandon Phillips, which gives fans an idea of what kind of skills he possesses.

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