Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Director, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

10/9/2007
Story by Tyler Cundith

(PHOTO – Jerry Hale/MLB.com)

OVERLAND PARK, KS -- Justin Miller, a former pitcher/outfielder for the Johnson County Community College baseball team last spring, has been selected to attend the Los Angeles Dodgers instructional league after posting a solid first season in professional baseball.  Miller played for the Gulf Coast Dodgers, a rookie affiliate for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Miller, who was chosen in the sixth round with the 206th overall selection by the Dodgers in the 2007 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, posted a 2-1 record with a 3.57 earned run average for Gulf Coast.  He allowed only two walks in 17.2 innings on the mound, and struck out 12 batters.    Miller’s first professional victory came in relief against the Gulf Coast Yankees.  Miller yielded just three hits over seven innings, and retired 13 of the first 14 batters he faced and did not issue a walk.

As a freshman at JCCC, Miller excelled on the mound as a closer and at the plate. An All-East Jayhawk Conference selection, Miller made 15 appearances on the hill, working 20 innings.  He allowed just 10 hits, one earned run, struck out 19 and set a school record with an earned run average of 0.35.  He also recorded six saves, which rank second on JCCC’s season chart, and third for a career.

At the plate, Miller batted a team best.367 (65-for-177) with six doubles, three triples, five home runs and 42 RBI.  His 42 RBI led the Cavaliers, and his five homers were third.  In the field, Miller committed just one error in 84 chances, good for a fielding percentage of .988.  

A native of Scott City, Kan., Miller was a three-sport athlete at Scott Community High School, competing in baseball, football and basketball.  In baseball, Miller was a two All-Mid State Athletics Association honors, and was selected to play in the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches All-Star Game in June, 2006.  As a senior, Miler hit .548 (40-for73) with six doubles, five triples, four home runs, 27 RBI and 31 runs, all team highs.  He posted an 8-1 record on the mound, with an earned run average of 2.06 with 68 strikeouts in 51 innings of work.