Bobby Miller’s journey with the Los Angeles Dodgers has been anything but linear. Once hailed as one of the most electric young arms in the organization, the right-hander is now staring down a pivotal season in 2026 - not just for his career, but for his confidence.
Let’s rewind. In 2023, Miller looked every bit the part of a future rotation anchor.
He brought the heat, showed poise beyond his years, and gave Dodgers fans a glimpse of what could be a long-term weapon on the mound. His home opener that year - six innings of dominance and 11 strikeouts against the Cardinals - felt like a coming-out party.
But since then, it’s been a frustrating stretch filled with setbacks, both on and off the field.
The 2024 season unraveled quickly. Miller struggled through 13 appearances that saw his command falter and his ERA balloon.
The Dodgers, loaded with pitching depth and chasing another deep postseason run, had no choice but to pull him from the rotation. Just like that, the promise of 2023 faded into uncertainty.
Then came 2025, and with it, a fresh opportunity - or so it seemed. But in his very first Spring Training outing, Miller took a line drive off the head, a scary moment that not only delayed his physical return but also disrupted his rhythm and confidence.
It was a tough blow for a pitcher trying to rebuild momentum. His lone big league appearance that season didn’t offer much hope either, as the same issues that plagued him in 2024 resurfaced.
Now, in 2026, Miller is trying to hit the reset button again. And he’s not shying away from the challenge.
“That’s the motivation for me right now, to get back to how I was a few years ago,” Miller said recently. “I know it’s still in there, and there’s more than that as well.”
That’s the mindset of a competitor who’s been humbled but not broken. Once ranked as the No. 24 overall prospect in baseball and No. 2 in the Dodgers’ system, Miller knows what it takes to climb the ladder. He’s done it before - and now, he’s aiming to do it again.
“Starting from rock bottom and working my way back up, just like I did before,” he added.
The last two seasons have tested him in ways that go beyond the stat sheet. But they’ve also taught him something crucial: how to manage the mental grind of the game.
“The big thing for me is just not trying to panic,” Miller said. “I found myself doing that a little bit last year, just worrying so much about getting back to the big leagues.”
That kind of self-awareness matters. Baseball is a game of adjustments - not just mechanical, but emotional. For pitchers especially, the ability to stay even-keeled through the highs and lows can be the difference between a return to form and a career stuck in neutral.
The road ahead won’t be easy. The Dodgers’ rotation is stacked, and the bullpen isn’t exactly hurting for arms either.
Miller’s spot on the depth chart isn’t guaranteed, and he knows it. But what he still has - and what can’t be taught - is raw stuff.
If he can harness it, stay healthy, and trust the process, there’s still a path back to relevance.
And then there’s the trade buzz. Miller’s name, along with outfield prospect Ryan Ward, has surfaced in recent rumors as potential pieces the Dodgers could move to clear space on the 40-man roster. With both players currently blocked by more established talent, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a change of scenery at some point.
But for now, Miller’s focus is clear: get right, stay ready, and prove that the flashes of brilliance weren’t a fluke.
He’s been down before. Now he’s trying to climb his way back - one pitch at a time.