Former Philadelphia Phillies infielder Brad Miller popped up again recently, with news that he has agreed to a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres. Miller, 34, received an invitation to major league camp with his new deal, per MLB.com's AJ Cassavell.
Some news: The Padres have signed longtime infielder Brad Miller to a Minor League deal with an invite to big league camp. A lefty hitter, he's expected to vie for a bench spot.
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) March 5, 2024
Brad Miller spent parts of two season with the Phillies
A 10-year veteran, Miller spent parts of two seasons with the Phillies in recent years. He first came to the City of Brotherly Love partway through the 2019 season when the Phillies acquired him for cash considerations from the New York Yankees. In his 66 games for the Phillies that season, he hit .263 and posted an impressive .941 OPS with 12 home runs and 21 RBI in just 130 plate appearances. With time at third base, left field, and plenty of pinch-hitting duty, Miller registered a 136 wRC+.
That partial season could be considered the best stretch of his career, which is probably why the Phillies brought him back in 2021 on a one-year, $3.5 million contract. The left-handed-hitting Miller appeared in 140 games and got 377 plate appearances that season. He played all over the infield, received more pinch-hitting duty, and dabbled in the outfield corners again. Despite hitting .227, he posted a respectable .774 OPS, hit 20 home runs, and drove in 49 for a wRC+ of 106.
You may remember Miller from that season for his extra-innings heroics. He became the first Phillies player to hit a come-from-behind walk-off grand slam in extra innings, completing a comeback from a 7-0 deficit.
COMEBACK.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 29, 2021
COMPLETE.#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/mlpQw1R2rX
He also popped off for a three-homer game that year.
Miller received a World Series ring with the Rangers
A former second-round pick of the Seattle Mariners in 2011, Miller most recently played for the reigning World Series champion Texas Rangers in 2022 and 2023. He played in 27 games for Texas last year, hitting just .214 in 67 plate appearances. He didn't get to play in the postseason, as he finished the year on the IL with a strained hamstring, but he still picked up a World Series ring.
Now heading into what he hopes will be his 11th MLB season, Miller heads to the Padres with an opportunity to land a bench role in the short time that remains of spring training action. As a non-roster invitee, he'll have a tough time cracking the 26-man roster this late in the game, but if he performs, he has a shot at the Opening Day roster.