Andrew Miller (baseball)

Andrew Miller's career is a testament to adaptation. Drafted as a can't-miss starting pitching prospect, his early years in the majors with Detroit and Florida were defined by inconsistency and unmet expectations. The turning point came in Boston, where he transitioned to the bullpen. Freed from the constraints of pacing himself, Miller's arsenal—a devastating slider and a fastball from his 6'7" frame—became overpowering. He mastered the role of the multi-inning relief ace, a weapon deployed at any point in the game to snuff out rallies. This versatility reached its peak in Cleveland, where his heroic 2016 postseason, often entering in the middle innings, helped carry the Indians to the World Series and earned him ALCS MVP honors. Miller's success, which included two All-Star selections, fundamentally changed how managers viewed their best relievers, paving the way for the modern 'fireman' role.