The unexpected Aaron Miles
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What to make of Aaron Miles?
He began the season as a non-roster invitee and made the team out of spring training partially because Casey Blake started the season on the disabled list. He has no power. He almost never walks. Has little speed.
And he’s becoming a mainstay in the Dodgers’ lineup?
OK, maybe not a mainstay but he has almost oddly proved valuable. After getting four hits Saturday, he is currently batting .305. He continues to get playing time and is back in the lineup Sunday against Colorado batting second.
He has a lowly .319 on-base percentage, yet has emerged as something of a table setter on a Dodgers team desperate for production. He’s fifth on the team in runs. All without a home run. He’s in a five-way tie for sixth with six doubles.
Looking at his on-base and slugging percentages with a minimum of 100 at-bats, TrueBlueLA’s Eric Stephen calls Miles the worst .300 hitter in Dodgers history.
To be mentioned in such company, of course, you still have to be a .300 hitter.
He can play three infield spots and switch hits, so he was expected to have value. As a backup infielder. A backup to backup infielder Jamey Carroll. The Dodgers’ continued run of injuries and Miles’ play, however, have left a much different situation.
-- Steve Dilbeck