Miller back and now Bandits ace

At this time a year ago Jason Miller wasn't even able to throw a baseball, let alone think about pitching in a game. Today, he's anxiously awaiting an opening-night start for the Quad City River Bandits.

During spring training last year Miller suffered a hernia and was forced to undergo surgery that set his season way back. In fact, when he finally appeared with the Quad City River Bandits in mid-May, the best he could do was work in short relief stints.

However, as the season wore on, Miller great stronger and the crafty left-hander not only made his way into the starting rotation, but was the best the River Bandits had to offer during the month of August, when his earned run average was 1.31.

He was good enough to earn the start in Game 2 of the playoffs against Cedar Rapids and threw 5.2 shutout innings before being lifted from a game QC would eventually lose in 12 innings to end its season.

It may have been the end of the season, but for Miller it was just the beginning.

"That last month of the regular season and the playoff start at Cedar Rapids gave me so much confidence," Miller said at Tuesday's annual Meet the Bandits dinner, sponsored by the fan club. "Coming off a great finish to last season, I worked hard and ate right in the winter and had a great spring."

Now, all indications are that he'll open the 2003 season Thursday night when the River Bandits host the Cedar Rapids Kernels at 6 at John O'Donnell Stadium.

"No one has told me officially, but I understand I'm going to start the opener," he said. "That is something very special, but I also believe I've earned it. I pitched well in big games last season, I had the good spring and I'm the lone returning starter."

Even with the opening-night start Miller, who finished last season 2-2 with a 2.34 ERA, isn't certain if he's the ace of the staff.

"I'd say somewhere in the top three," he said. "I think they'll take a look at everybody the first couple of weeks and go from there. In terms of being the ace, I think I've matured a great deal and can lead this staff through my experience.

"I also figure I'll be counted on pretty heavily because I know the league and a lot of the hitters we might be seeing because I've been here a season. We do have a few older pitchers on the staff, but it's a big jump from Elizabethton (Rookie League) to here.

"The hitters are so much better because they see the ball so well."

That's where Miller had his biggest growth last season -- learning how to pitch to better hitters.

"It was amazing how far he came the last month," said QC catcher Bryan Kennedy. "He knows how to use all three of his pitches and he sets batters up so well. I think in his first few appearances, he tried to strike everyone out. By the end of the season, he just got everybody out."

Miller is excited to have Kennedy to throw to again this season. Kennedy was the backup to Joe Mauer most of last season, but when Mauer went down with a late-season injury Kennedy did a lot of the catching.

"No question, having B.K. back is huge," Miller said. "Joe was a great guy and a huge talent, but B.K. calls a great game. He's so enjoyable to work to and I think the other guys on the staff are going to love having him this season."