The St. Paul’s Episcopal Saints opened the Alabama 5A state playoffs last week in search of a state championship that eluded them last year.
Expected to play a big role in a run to a championship is Andrew Miller, a pitcher/centerfielder who along with teammate A.J. McCarron forms one of the top pitching duos in the state.
The Saints had little trouble in their playoff opener, defeating Gulf Shores in a doubleheader sweep, 5-0 and 14-0 to extend their winning streak to 26 games. Miller picked up a shutout win to raise his overall record to 8-0 and lower his ERA to 0.94. He has 73 strikeouts in 52 innings and has walked just 16.
St. Paul’s advances to play Spanish Fort in the second round on April 24 and 25. The Saints entered the playoffs as the No. 3 ranked team in the 5A state rankings behind Cullman (27-14) and Hartselle (38-8).
Andrew Miller, St. Paul's Episcopal
Courtesy Photo
St. Paul’s received a bit of a break in the tournament bracket as both Cullman and Hartselle are on the opposite side of the bracket and will likely face each other in the semifinals. The Saints’ top competition figures to be Briarwood Christian, which St. Paul’s could face in the semifinals.
“I expect us to do well, hopefully make it past the semis this year,” said Miller, whose team finished third in last year’s state playoffs. “We have great defense and we are having good at-bats all the way thru our batting order. We also have very good pitching.”
Both McCarron and Miller throw hard with McCarron topping out around 91 mph and Miller around 88. The two were also teammates on the football field where McCarron was one of the top quarterbacks in the state and Miller was a free safety and the team’s defensive most valuable player.
However while McCarron is headed to Alabama on a football scholarship, Miller will play for the Crimson Tide baseball team.
“That has always been my dream and my goal to play that level of ball,” said Miller. “When I started getting letters and interest from colleges is when I thought I could compete.”
An all-state player last year, Miller participated in the Perfect Game National Showcase and the East Coast Professional Showcase, last summer. He also played in the Alabama North-South all-star game and went 3-for-4 while also taking a turn on the mound.
“Coach Wells from Alabama was there, so I was glad I performed well,” said Miller, who signed with Alabama in November.
Ranked as one of the top baseball players in the country, Miller may also find himself getting a phone call from a major league team on draft day in June. St. Paul’s coach Shane Sullivan feels that any team will be fortunate to have Miller as a member.
“Andrew has two qualities that set him apart from other baseball players, his work ethic and his ability to compete every time he steps on the diamond,” said. Sullivan. “Andrew is an overall great kid and receives my highest recommendation as a person and player.”
An outstanding hitter who is batting .494 with 30 RBI, Miller has above average bat speed and above average speed on the base paths where he is a constant threat to swipe a base and has stolen 21 this year. Miller may be at his best in the outfield however, where Sullivan says that his play is near flawless.
“In four years of playing over 100 games in centerfield for the Saints, Andrew has made only one error,” he said.
While St. Paul’s is located in Mobile, Miller lives in the small town of Citronelle 30 miles north of Mobile.
“I work on our farm for my dad,” said Miller. “Citronelle is special because it is home. It’s small and everyone knows everyone.”
Miller’s love for baseball began at a young age with both of his parents there to help guide the way. His mother was his T-Ball coach and his father coached him throughout Little League.
“My father coached me when I was in Little League and he has always pushed me to be better,” said Miller. “He said if you want to make it to the next level, you have to do more than every other player.”
That little extra includes taking 200 to 300 swings a day and practicing in the batting cage with his father at their home.
“Bob Filoti is my hitting coach during the off season and he has also helped me develop as a hitter,” Miller added. “He said I have a great bat and a chance to be even better as I get older and stronger.”
If there's one thing Miller has learned, it's to listen to the advice of his parents and his coaches.
"They really do know what they are talking about," he said. "They can teach you to become a better player and a better person."
