Mills Back in the U.S., Pitching Well

Brad Mills (Harrisonburg 2005) has had quite the odyssey over the past three years.

The 4th round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2007 draft out of Arizona (and Harrisonburg, obviously) pitched in 2012 in Triple-A Salt Lake in the Los Angeles Angels’ system. He started 19 games and went 5-10, 5.86 in 109 innings. The Pacific Coast League, an amazing hitters’ league, was a tough go for him. But then he got a spot start in the majors in July. He proceeded to throw 5 shutout innings, allowing only 3 hits, 0 walks, and he struck out 6. That was it at the major league level for him- after that one start, he was returned to AAA. (I had so much fun with his 2012 Strat-O-Matic card! He went 16-4, 0.87, and finished 2nd in the Cy Young voting.)

In 2013, Brad signed with the Texas Rangers, and was assigned again to the dreaded PCL. He pitched much better in Round Rock than Salt Lake the year before, going 7-5, 3.87 in 97 2/3 innings pitched. Then came an interesting challenge- Brad was released by the Rangers so he could sign with Orix in  the Japanese League. (I would love to chat with Brad about this, as I live cross-culturally myself.)

Brad only got one start in Japan, and it didn’t go terrifically well, but it’s a part of the story.

Now, it’s 2014. Brad is back in the states after having signed with the Milwaukee Brewers, who are off to an amazing start, by the way. Brad is back, once again, in the PCL, pitching for the Nashville Sounds. Last night, Brad threw 6 no-hit innings, allowing one unearned run, 3 walks, and striking out 6.

For the season so far, Brad’s 2-0, 2.22 in 6 games (4 starts). He’s allowed 20 hits and 6 walks while striking out 20 in 24 1/3 innings pitched. Mike Fiers and Jimmy Nelson might be called up before Brad, but if he keeps up this level of pitching, he might get the chance to pitch in the majors in 2014!