SAN ANTONIO – Junior right-handed pitcher Simon Miller was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 12th round of the 2023 MLB Draft on Tuesday, July 11.
Earning the 348th overall pick in the 12th round, Miller becomes the 42nd Roadrunner selected in the draft overall.
This is tied for the fifth-highest round that a Roadrunner has been selected in, preceded by Mark Schramek in the first round in 2002, Patel in the seventh round in 2019, Daniel Rockett in the ninth round in 2013, and Jeff Hutzler in the 10th round in 1995, while tied with Matt Crocker in 2010.
Six UTSA student-athletes have been selected in the draft by the Cincinnati Reds before Miller, the last time being Michael McKennon in 2006.
The last time UTSA appeared in the draft was 2019 when Karan Patel was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the seventh round and Bryan Arias was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 28th round.
Miller made his junior season a memorable one, raking in All-American honors from five different organizations, including D1Baseball, Baseball America, NCBWA, Collegiate Baseball and College Baseball Foundation. He was also named the Conference USA Pitcher of the Year, C-USA All-Conference First Team and ABCA/Rawlings All-Central Region Second Team.
On top of leading the team in almost every stat, he ranked amongst the best in the nation in a few categories. His ERA led the nation from March 20 through April 10. At the conclusion of the regular season, his 12 saves ranked second-best in the Conference USA and 10th best in the nation. His eight wins were the most in the conference, while also being 29th in the nation. He also ended the season with the best ERA in the C-USA and fifth best in the nation.
Miller's name is etched in the UTSA record books in multiple categories, whether it's his multitude of awards or stat records. In individual single-season records for his 2023 season performance, he is fifth in ERA, seventh in wins, second in saves and ninth in strikeouts. Miller also moved up in four individual career records, ranking sixth in career ERA, fourth in career opponents' batting average, 11th in career wins and third in career saves.
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