Miller to play pro baseball, attend college
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, June 4, 2003
With the 113th pick overall, the Florida Marlins selected former Selma High School standout Jai Miller in the middle of the fourth round of Major League Baseball’s amateur draft Tuesday afternoon.
While Jai won’t be playing football or basketball for the Cardinal as planned, the Marlins will pay for him to attend Stanford in the fall and winter semesters before going to spring training.
It’s been a busy few days for Miller, the former Saints’ three-sport star.
At the Lion’s Club East-West All-Star game Saturday and Sunday in Birmingham, Miller was in top form. In Saturday’s win, Miller went 1-for-4 with a triple and two runs scored.
He also threw a runner out at the plate. On Sunday, Miller homered and singled in a loss.
The 6-foot-4, 195-pound Miller was named to the Super All-State baseball team, which includes every Alabama High School regardless of class. He was also tabbed for the Class 6-A All-State team.
Miller committed to playing football and basketball at Stanford in February but began having second thoughts after an outstanding senior season on the diamond for the Saints. Miller batted .500 for the year, and his abilities attracted Major League Baseball scouts.
A representative from the Marlins told Miller that if he committed to playing baseball, the team would draft him somewhere between the third and seventh rounds.
They drafted him just four rounds into the two-day draft.
Miller was named to the Alabama All-State team in football, basketball and baseball this season. He was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in basketball.