We’ll pass on the chance to make a bamboo-related pun, but former Philadelphia Phillies fan-favorite Brad Miller is off to a hot start with the Texas Rangers.
Following a successful second stint with the Phillies, Miller landed a two-year/$10 million deal with the Rangers, one that may very well end up being one of the most team-friendly deals in the sport.
The 32-year-old has quickly assimilated in Texas, as he has four hits in his first 12 at-bats as a Ranger, three of which have been of the extra-base variety.
In a 10-8 Opening Day loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, Miller led the game off with a 412-foot home run, a Kyle Schwarber-esque moment:
Miller went 1-4 in a loss Saturday, and wasn’t in the starting lineup Sunday. All he would go on to do as a sub was go 2-3 with an RBI double, a run scored and his second home run of the season:
Miller’s performance helped the Rangers to overcome a disastrous start by former Phillie Spencer Howard, who gave up four home runs and six earned runs in just three innings against a high-powered Blue Jays lineup Sunday. Texas went on to win 12-6.
According to High Heat Stats, Miller became the first Ranger since the 2004 season to record two extra-base hits in a game that he didn’t start. The previous one was another former Phillie, Rod Barajas.
Miller admitted in a meeting with the media last season that he tries to hit a home run in every at-bat. That makes him a boom-or-bust player, but he clearly continues to boom enough to be a very effective hitter.