Randall Jai Miller (born January 17, 1985) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for three seasons with the Florida Marlins, Kansas City Royals, and Oakland Athletics. He played for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide as a walk-on defensive back on their football team.

Jai Miller
Miller with the Omaha Royals in 2010
Outfielder
Born: (1985-01-17) January 17, 1985 (age 39)
Selma, Alabama, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 22, 2008, for the Florida Marlins
Last MLB appearance
September 28, 2011, for the Oakland Athletics
MLB statistics
Batting average.235
Home runs2
Runs batted in6
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Baseball career

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Florida Marlins

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Miller was drafted out of high school by the Florida Marlins in the 4th round (113th overall) of the 2003 Major League Baseball draft. He made his professional career debut that year for the Single-A Jamestown Jammers, playing in 11 games and batting .233 with no home runs.

In 2004, Miller played for the Single-A Greensboro Bats. In 113 games, he batted .205 with 12 home runs. He basically put up the same stats in 2005, playing for the Single-A Greensboro Grasshoppers (the team changed their name after the 2004 season). In 115 games, he batted .207 with 13 home runs.

Miller played for the Single-A Jupiter Hammerheads in 2006. He batted .208 but his home run production dropped, producing no home runs for the Hammerheads in 2006.

In 2007, he moved up a level, playing for the Double-A Carolina Mudcats. For the Mudcats, he set career highs in batting average (.261), home runs (14), RBI's (58), games played (129), hits (106) and doubles (26).

Miller made his big league debut with Florida in 2008 and went 0-for-1 in just one ballgame.

On November 20, 2009, the Marlins purchased his contract, protecting him from the Rule 5 draft. He was later designated for assignment on April 3, 2010.

Oakland Athletics

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The Oakland Athletics claimed him on waivers April 8, 2010 and optioned him to the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. Fourteen days later he was designated for assignment.

Kansas City Royals

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And on April 26, 2010, he was acquired off waivers by the Kansas City Royals.

As a Royal in 2010 he got his first major league hit, a single, against the Detroit Tigers. Total, Miller played 20 games with the Royals, hitting 1 HR, 4 RBIs and a .236 Avg.

Oakland Athletics

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On December 17, 2010, The Oakland Athletics once again signed Miller, this time as a free agent. He spent nearly the entire 2011 season with Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, batting .276 with 32 homers and 88 RBIs in 110 games.

On September 11, 2011, Miller was called up to join the Oakland Athletics. He played in 7 games, hitting 1 HR, 2 RBIs and a .250 Avg.

On December 23, Miller was designated for assignment to make room for the prospects acquired in the Gio González trade.[1]

Baltimore Orioles

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He was traded to the Baltimore Orioles on January 3. On October 6, 2012, Miller elected free agency.[2]

Return to college

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On January 7, 2013, Miller announced his intention to play football with the University of Alabama.[3]

References

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  1. ^ A's Press Release (December 23, 2011). "A's designate Powell and Miller for assignment". Oaklandathletics.com. Archived from the original on January 21, 2012. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  2. ^ Ladson, Bill (January 3, 2012). "Orioles acquire outfielder Miller from A's". Orioles.com.[dead link]
  3. ^ "Former MLB player Jai Miller set to join Alabama football team". January 5, 2013.
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