Philadelphia Phillies absolutely need to bring Brad Miller back for the bench

Brad Miller isn’t going to win the Philadelphia Phillies a championship. However, you better believe every time he steps up to the plate he’s swinging like his life depends on it.

Miller first joined the Phillies in mid-2019 and became somewhat of a franchise folk-hero. “Bamboo Brad” as he became known, was a part-time player that could come up with a big hit when the Phillies needed it most.

After departing from the Phillies for the 2020 season (where he, frankly, didn’t miss much), Miller returned in 2021 for more fun. His Phillies totals across 507 plate appearances now include a .236/.323/.494 slash line and 32 home runs paired with his 70 RBI. Underwhelming in some regards, it’s how devastatingly deadly Miller can be at the plate late in games that should have us asking management to bring him back yet again.

The Philadelphia Phillies can get those big moments from Brad Miller just as they did from Matt Stairs

When we see the name Matt Stairs we think of one moment. We think of a fly ball going deep into the Los Angeles night. Miller has all of the makings to do just that.

Miller is best utilized as a pinch hitter or a guy to give a few guys a day of rest. When there’s a major injury, he has been someone the Phillies could turn to. In 2019, he played a lot of third base and left field. In 2021, it was first base and right field.

Last season, he went 14 for 51 in the best role for him: pinch-hitting. This gave him a stellar .275/.339/.471 slash line. Miller knocked a pair of home runs as a pinch hitter on the season. In July, given a chance to start, you may remember him going deep three times against the Chicago Cubs.

Miller ended up getting pushed into starting many more games than anticipated. His 377 trips to the plate were the most he received since 2017. The Phillies tried to make the most defensive yet limited ability to play multiple positions, giving Miller innings at first base, second base, third base, left field, and right field. Literally the only positions he hasn’t played in his career are catcher and pitcher. There’s still time.

Any player capable of playing all of those positions—well or not from a defensive standpoint—can find a spot on a major league roster. Add in his ever-present home run pop, Miller is the kind of guy you stash on your bench until you need a big hit. He’s Matt Stairs!

For his career, Miller is now a .239/.317/.425 hitter with an average of 20 home runs per 551 trips to the plate. He has actually been far more prolific at going yard during his season and a half with the Phillies. We can probably thank Citizen’s Bank Ballpark for some of them.

It’s additions like Miller to your roster that help fill in some questions. When a guy gets hurt, you know you can turn to him. Even if the result is 1 for 20, that one might be a game-winning home run.

The Phillies really need the veteran presence, professionalism, and clutch abilities Miller can bring to the field. Without him, we could end up with a team of guys not ready for the big spots.

As much of a non-priority as Miller might be, it’s essential the Phillies don’t ignore their bench. Miller, in parts of two seasons with the club, has proven to be worthy.