MLB
Miles Mikolas was signed this offseason by John Mozeliak and company, effectively to replace Lance Lynn. Mikolas had been in Japan for the past three seasons and seemed to find a new identity as a starter. The Cardinals thought the strike throwing right hander could make a valuable asset in the starting rotation, so they took a chance on him. Though not a large risk, at just two years and $15.5 million, there was some room for doubt about Mikolas’ ability to pitch at the Major League level. So far, though, Miles has exceeded expectations, improving to 5-0 with the win over San Diego on Thursday.
Miles Mikolas by the Numbers
Early Career
Mikolas had previous experience in the big leagues, with the Padres and Rangers, before going overseas. He had a good rookie campaign in San Diego, going 2-1, with a 3.62 ERA, in 25 games out of the bullpen. Then, after only throwing an inning and two-thirds in 2013, he ran into some trouble. The Texas Rangers gave Miles Mikolas his first shot as a major league starter. Unfortunately, his first stint in a rotation didn’t go well. He started just 10 games, posted a 2-5 record, a 6.44 ERA, walked 20 batters and struck out 38, in just 57.1 innings.
2018
This season, Mikolas has done a complete turnaround from the pitcher he was with the Rangers. The years he spent in Japan appear to have been time well spent, at least to this point. So far this season, Miles has a record 5-0, already more than doubling his career win total. He also boasts an impressive 2.51 ERA. Most notably, though, Mikolas has only walked three hitters and has already struck out 35, in 46.2 innings pitched. He’s averaging an inning more per start than he was with the Rangers and is walking nearly five times less often. Mikolas’ turnaround has been way more than what the Cardinals could have expected. The season is still young, but if Miles keeps pitching like this, he could be in the midst of a special season.
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This article was originally written by former TSJ101SPORTS MLB Department editor and writer Canyon Clark. Due to systems modalities, the article has been assigned to the author tag designation “Former Writers”.
