LINCOLN — Until someone makes him choose, Ben Miller is just fine with his dual role as a pitcher and hitter.
He’s felt pretty comfortable using the offseason to refine his skills at everything — throwing strikes more consistently, fielding at first base with more confidence and preparing himself for a heavy dose of off-speed pitches while at the plate.
It’s a lot to think about. But the unassuming, laid-back junior isn’t one to stress over the workload.
This is what he wants to do.
“I don’t see many problems with doing both,” Miller said. “I’m definitely seeing the growth in both of them, and I feel like it’s the same amount if I were specializing in one. I’ve been spending equal time, and getting better at both.”
Miller’s likely set to be one of Nebraska’s key middle-of-the-order bats again next spring — he hit .279, tied for the team lead with four home runs and finished second among Huskers with 40 RBI last season. And his contributions as a lefty bullpen specialist should increase, too, after he pitched just three innings in 2015.
But roles are still being defined at this point. That’s the whole purpose of the offseason, really.
Nebraska is set to conclude its month-long stretch of fall practices with three public scrimmages this week, the first one beginning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Haymarket Park. Sophomore pitcher Nate Fisher and junior pitcher Jake Hohensee are out after undergoing Tommy John surgery. A few other players may be limited.
The rest of the Huskers, including 15 newcomers, are competing to prove they deserve playing time, particularly at places where Nebraska is replacing veteran contributors — at catcher, third base, right field, two starting pitcher spots and closer.
“You get a good idea to see where guys are at, who can handle the speed of the game and the college life, with dealing with school and the weight lifting, the social life and practice,” coach Darin Erstad said. “This is a great time to evaluate them and really focus in on what we’re going to attack in the next six to seven weeks after fall ball’s done, as far as getting better individually.”
A seasoned guy like Miller already has a good idea.
He didn’t play summer ball. So he’s maximized reps as best he can this fall, identifying weaknesses and working to get them fixed.
On the mound, Miller still wants more consistency with his slider. He can always rely on a change-up, but he’d like more ways to keep hitters off balance.
At the plate, he’s working to sink deeper into his legs. The taller he stays during his swing, the more likely it is for his head to move.
But he’s seeing plenty of progress — enough to keep him encouraged about his ability to help the Huskers in multiple ways next spring.
“For me, it’s not too big of a problem,” Miller said.
2016 schedule released
Nebraska released its 2016 schedule on Monday, revealing a slate that includes at least 12 games against NCAA tournament teams, a three-game series against Wichita State, a midweek matchup in Kauffman Stadium and five annual meetings with in-state rivals.
NU plays three-game series at College of Charleston (Feb. 19 to 21) and at Michigan (April 15 to 16). There are home series against Illinois (April 1 to 3) and Indiana (May 19 to 21). Those four opponents were regional teams last season — and the Huskers could face more in the four-game Tony Gwynn Classic (Feb. 26 to Feb. 28)
Wichita State’s coming to Lincoln (March 18 to 20) for the first weekend series between the two teams since 1983. Nebraska also is set to play Kansas (April 27) in the Royals’ home ballpark.
NU and Creighton will play once in Lincoln (March 29) and twice in Omaha (April 12 and 26). Nebraska will face UNO at Werner Park (April 6) and will also host the Mavericks (May 11).
TD Ameritrade Park will be the host for this season’s Big Ten baseball tournament. The event came to Omaha two years ago and set multiple attendance records.
http://www.omaha.com/huskers/ben-mi...cle_c8345d8f-d894-5d2e-b634-87bc9180d523.html
He’s felt pretty comfortable using the offseason to refine his skills at everything — throwing strikes more consistently, fielding at first base with more confidence and preparing himself for a heavy dose of off-speed pitches while at the plate.
It’s a lot to think about. But the unassuming, laid-back junior isn’t one to stress over the workload.
This is what he wants to do.
“I don’t see many problems with doing both,” Miller said. “I’m definitely seeing the growth in both of them, and I feel like it’s the same amount if I were specializing in one. I’ve been spending equal time, and getting better at both.”
Miller’s likely set to be one of Nebraska’s key middle-of-the-order bats again next spring — he hit .279, tied for the team lead with four home runs and finished second among Huskers with 40 RBI last season. And his contributions as a lefty bullpen specialist should increase, too, after he pitched just three innings in 2015.
But roles are still being defined at this point. That’s the whole purpose of the offseason, really.
Nebraska is set to conclude its month-long stretch of fall practices with three public scrimmages this week, the first one beginning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Haymarket Park. Sophomore pitcher Nate Fisher and junior pitcher Jake Hohensee are out after undergoing Tommy John surgery. A few other players may be limited.
The rest of the Huskers, including 15 newcomers, are competing to prove they deserve playing time, particularly at places where Nebraska is replacing veteran contributors — at catcher, third base, right field, two starting pitcher spots and closer.
“You get a good idea to see where guys are at, who can handle the speed of the game and the college life, with dealing with school and the weight lifting, the social life and practice,” coach Darin Erstad said. “This is a great time to evaluate them and really focus in on what we’re going to attack in the next six to seven weeks after fall ball’s done, as far as getting better individually.”
A seasoned guy like Miller already has a good idea.
He didn’t play summer ball. So he’s maximized reps as best he can this fall, identifying weaknesses and working to get them fixed.
On the mound, Miller still wants more consistency with his slider. He can always rely on a change-up, but he’d like more ways to keep hitters off balance.
At the plate, he’s working to sink deeper into his legs. The taller he stays during his swing, the more likely it is for his head to move.
But he’s seeing plenty of progress — enough to keep him encouraged about his ability to help the Huskers in multiple ways next spring.
“For me, it’s not too big of a problem,” Miller said.
2016 schedule released
Nebraska released its 2016 schedule on Monday, revealing a slate that includes at least 12 games against NCAA tournament teams, a three-game series against Wichita State, a midweek matchup in Kauffman Stadium and five annual meetings with in-state rivals.
NU plays three-game series at College of Charleston (Feb. 19 to 21) and at Michigan (April 15 to 16). There are home series against Illinois (April 1 to 3) and Indiana (May 19 to 21). Those four opponents were regional teams last season — and the Huskers could face more in the four-game Tony Gwynn Classic (Feb. 26 to Feb. 28)
Wichita State’s coming to Lincoln (March 18 to 20) for the first weekend series between the two teams since 1983. Nebraska also is set to play Kansas (April 27) in the Royals’ home ballpark.
NU and Creighton will play once in Lincoln (March 29) and twice in Omaha (April 12 and 26). Nebraska will face UNO at Werner Park (April 6) and will also host the Mavericks (May 11).
TD Ameritrade Park will be the host for this season’s Big Ten baseball tournament. The event came to Omaha two years ago and set multiple attendance records.
http://www.omaha.com/huskers/ben-mi...cle_c8345d8f-d894-5d2e-b634-87bc9180d523.html
