Jai Miller Biography
Randall Jai Miller (born January 17, 1985) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for three seasons with the Florida Marlins, Kansas City Royals, and Oakland Athletics. He played for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide as a walk-on defensive back on their football team.
Baseball career
Florida Marlins
Miller was drafted out of high school by the Florida Marlins in the 4th round (113th overall) of the 2003 Major League Baseball draft. He made his professional career debut that year for the Single-A Jamestown Jammers, playing in 11 games and batting .233 with no home runs.
In 2004, Miller played for the Single-A Greensboro Bats. In 113 games, he batted .205 with 12 home runs. He basically put up the same stats in 2005, playing for the Single-A Greensboro Gr*hoppers (the team changed their name after the 2004 season). In 115 games, he batted .207 with 13 home runs.
Miller played for the Single-A Jupiter Hammerheads in 2006. He batted .208 but his home run production dropped, producing no home runs for the Hammerheads in 2006.
In 2007, he moved up a level, playing for the Double-A Carolina Mudcats. For the Mudcats, he set career highs in batting average (.261), home runs (14), RBI's (58), games played (129), hits (106) and doubles (26).
Miller made his big league debut with Florida in 2008 and went 0-for-1 in just one ballgame.
On November 20, 2009, the Marlins purchased his contract, protecting him from the Rule 5 draft. He was later designated for *ignment on April 3, 2010.
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics claimed him on waivers April 8, 2010 and optioned him to the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. Fourteen days later he was designated for *ignment.
Kansas City Royals
And on April 26, 2010, he was acquired off waivers by the Kansas City Royals.
As a Royal in 2010 he got his first major league hit, a single, against the Detroit Tigers. Total, Miller played 20 games with the Royals, hitting 1 HR, 4 RBIs and a .236 Avg.
Oakland Athletics
On December 17, 2010, The Oakland Athletics once again signed Miller, this time as a free agent. He spent nearly the entire 2011 season with Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, batting .276 with 32 homers and 88 RBIs in 110 games.
On September 11, 2011, Miller was called up to join the Oakland Athletics. He played in 7 games, hitting 1 HR, 2 RBIs and a .250 Avg.
On December 23, Miller was designated for *ignment to make room for the prospects acquired in the Gio González trade.
Baltimore Orioles
He was traded to the Baltimore Orioles on January 3. On October 6, 2012, Miller elected free agency.
Return to college
On January 7, 2013, Miller announced his intention to play football with the University of Alabama.
References
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or:ESPN, or:Baseball Reference, or:Fangraphs, or:Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Rotoworld profile
- Bio at RollTide.com
