As the biggest free agent signing for the New York Yankees heading into the 2015 season, Andrew Miller was arguably one of the best players for the Yanks this year. This success was further validated by Miller being named as the AL Reliever of the Year earlier this week. It can certainly be argued that fellow teammate Dellin Betances or Kansas City Royals setup man/closer Wade Davis were also just as deserving of the award (if not more) than Miller, but the hard-throwing lefty was undoubtedly dominant all season.
Miller went 36/38 in save opportunities and also posted a 3-2 record with a 2.04 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP in 61 2/3 innings. Moreover, he had a superior 14.6 K/9 and 5.00 strikeout per walk ratio, demonstrating that he was able to whiff plenty of hitters while also maintaining superior control all season. And while his .243 BABIP may point to luck, his other peripherals (194 ERA+ and 2.16 FIP) show that something similar to these numbers can certainly be replicated next season.
But what about Betances and Davis? One factor for why Miller won the award may have been because barring a one-month stint on the DL, the lefty closed the whole year. Betances filled in for Miller during the latter’s absence and moved back into a setup role upon Miller’s return and Davis didn’t close for the Royals until Greg Holland went down with a right UCL tear in September. Nevertheless, both relievers’ numbers were spectacular in 2015, as Betances posted a 1.50 ERA while striking out 131 batters in 84 innings and Davis went 8-1 with a 0.94 ERA and a 0.79 WHIP in 67 1/3 innings.
So was Miller deserving of AL Reliever of the Year honors? A strict side-by-side comparison to either Betances or Davis would likely make you say no. But there’s something to be said for coming up big in high-leverage situations and all throughout the season, Miller came through time and again. Of course, that’s not to say that Davis or Betances didn’t perform well as setup men and occasional closers, but the lefty Miller proved he could do it all year round (save for one month) and that is likely what convinced the panel of voters to award him with the accolade.