American Association Daily provides insights, features, and recaps of the action from around the American Association of Professional Baseball League, as well as player and coaching profiles and transactions. In today’s edition, This Week in the Association and the Minor League Sports Report name Kansas City Monarchs right-hander Jalen Miller as American Association Pitcher of the Week for Week 5 of the 2023 season.

Monarchs RHP Jalen Miller Named Pitcher of the Week

On Monday, This Week in the Association and the Minor League Sports Report named Kansas City Monarchs right-hander Jalen Miller as the Pitcher of the Week for Week 5 of the 2023 American Association season. Miller had a great week, going 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA.

The Kansas City right-hander made two starts during the week, starting on June 5 when he tossed five scoreless innings in a 2-1 victory over the Lincoln Saltdogs. Miller walked a batter in each of the first two innings and only found himself in some trouble in the second when he walked the leadoff hitter and hit the next batter. However, he induced a double-play grounder then got a foul out to end the threat. The righty did not give up his first hit until the fourth and allowed just one more hit in the fifth. In his five innings, Miller allowed two hits and two walks while striking out five.

On Sunday, Miller dominated again, tossing five shutout innings against the Winnipeg Goldeyes. He struck out the first two batters of the game, then gave up his first hit of the contest. Miller allowed a hit in each of the first two innings and allowed his final hit in the fifth. In seven innings, Miller allowed three hits and two walks, striking out five.

In 12.0 total innings, Miller allowed five hits and four walks while striking out 10. He posted a .125 opponent batting average and had a 0.75 WHIP.

Jalen Miller began his professional career in the USBL, pitching for Birmingham-Bloomfield and East Side in 2016. He moved to Florence (Frontier League) in 2017 before signing with Vallejo (Pacific Association) in 2018. His performance caught the attention of the Baltimore Orioles, who signed the right-hander. He spent five games with the team before being released and joining the York (Atlantic League). Later that season Miller joined the Chicago Dogs. In 2020, he stayed in Chicago, going 4-3 with a 3.89 ERA. In 2021, he moved to Sussex County (Frontier League) and split time between Lexington (Atlantic League) and Kansas City last season, going a combined 6-4 with a 4.84 ERA.

This season, Miller is off to a fast start. The right-hander is tied for the league lead in wins (4-1) and has a 3.72 ERA in six starts. In 29.0 innings pitched, Miller has allowed 22 hits and 16 walks, striking out 27. In nine professional seasons, Miller is 26-28 with a 4.69 ERA in 190 career appearances.

2023 American Association Pitchers of the Week

Week 1 – Akeem Bostick, RHP, Sioux Falls Canaries
Week 2 – Jake Dahlberg, LHP, Chicago Dogs
Week 3 – Davis Feldman, RHP, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
Week 4 – Nick Herold, Lake Country DockHounds

By Robert Pannier