VIERA, Fla. - Cardinals top pitching prospect Shelby Miller will make his first career Grapefruit League start today against the Washington Nationals in Viera, Fla. Miller, who was the Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Year for a second straight year last year, posted a 2.77 ERA in 25 starts between Single-A and Double-A.
He's expected to start the year at Triple-A Memphis but could be in line for a call-up to the big leagues at some point this season. With Kyle Lohse set to be a free agent after the season, Miller could move into the Cardinals starting rotation as early as next year.
Miller will have plenty of familiar faces behind him when he makes the start today in Viera, Fla., against the Nationals. The Cardinals kept most of their regulars back in Jupiter today, instead sending a group of youngsters on the hour and 45 minute bus ride up I-95 today.
"This will be fun to watch and see what he does here," manager Mike Matheny said.
Cardinals at Nationals, Wednesday, 12:05 p.m. CT
Cardinals lineup:
Eugenio Velez, LF
Dan Descalso, 3B
Jon Jay, CF
Matt Adams, 1B
Tyler Greene, 2B
Zack Cox, DH
Bryan Anderson, C
Alex Cora, SS
Eric Komatsu, RF
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Shelby Miller, P
Nationals lineup:
Ian Desmond, SS
Steve Lombardozzi, 2B
Rick Ankiel, CF
Chad Tracy, 1B
Jason Michaels, DH
Mark Teahen, 3B
Roger Bernadina, LF
Jesus Flores, C
Corey Brown, RF
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Jordan Zimmermann, P
Also expected to pitch today for the Cardinals are Jason Motte, Marc Rzepczynski, and Lance Lynn among others.
