The pitcher who threw a perfect game in high school
In short: Before becoming a Major League standout, Shelby Miller was a high school phenom. In a single season during his junior year, he delivered three consecutive no-hitters, including one perfect game. This dominance paved the way for a professional career marked by elite velocity and high-stakes postseason appearances.
Born in Round Rock, Texas, on October 10, 1990, Miller attended Brownwood High School, where his pitching prowess was immediately evident. During his junior year in 2008, he achieved the rare feat of throwing three no-hitters in consecutive games, one of which was a perfect game. His senior season was equally prolific, featuring a 10–2 win-loss record and 153 strikeouts in 77.66 innings, with a fastball reaching 97 miles per hour. In addition to his baseball achievements, he also competed as a tight end and defensive end for his high school football team. He previously held the position of quarterback until a staph infection forced him to step aside.
Miller's professional ascent was rapid. After being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the 2009 MLB draft, he signed for a $2.875 million bonus. By 2013, he was a dominant force in the National League, recording a 3.06 ERA and 15 wins. A standout moment occurred on May 10, 2013, when he pitched a complete-game shutout against the Colorado Rockies, retiring 27 consecutive batters after allowing a single. In 2015, he earned a selection to the MLB All-Star Game. His performance in May 2013 also earned him the Pitching Performance of the Month award.
Despite his talent, Miller's career has been defined by fluctuations in performance and luck. In 2015, while playing for the Atlanta Braves, he experienced a historic run of poor luck, setting a franchise record with a 24-game winless streak. During this stretch, he suffered from exceptionally low run support, averaging just 2.38 runs of support per nine innings—the tenth worst in MLB history. During his time with the Braves, he nearly threw a no-hitter against the Miami Marlins. He ultimately settled for a two-hit shutout in that contest.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Shelby Miller
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