2023 SS Anthony Miller Living Out His Dream with Notre Dame Commitment
Notre Dame baseball got its ninth commitment of the 2023 recruiting class over the weekend as New Castle (Pa.) SS/RHP Anthony Miller made his verbal to the Fighting Irish.
"Notre Dame has always been one of my dream schools," Miller told Irish Sports Daily. "I went and visited last month. The atmosphere and campus was so beautiful. It felt like a perfect fit for me and there was nowhere I'd rather be at.
"I'm Catholic and I liked how close everything on campus was because it's all within walking distance. I felt at home there."
The Notre Dame staff also made a lasting impression on Miller over the last couple of months, led by assistant coach Rich Wallace.
"Coach Rich Wallace has been great," explained Miller. "We stayed in contact a lot. I talked to Coach (Link) Jarrett and Coach (Chuck) Ristano a few times too. I talked to all of them, but Coach Wallace was great."
Wallace has received high marks from other Notre Dame commitments and Miller believes it comes down to relating to the kids he's recruiting.
"He's a really good recruiter," Miller stated. "He played baseball at the next level, so he really relates to some of us. He knows how to talk to athletes and he really got me to go to Notre Dame."
The 5-foot-9, 170-pounder was also impressed with Jarrett coaching resumé, but also his collegiate career.
"Coach Jarrett was like a 5-foot-8, 5-foot-9 two-way just like I am when he was at Florida State," Miller explained. "When I found that out, I knew he could help me the most because he was in my shoes at one time. He's going to develop me into the best possible player I can be."
Notre Dame's success in the spring also was intriguing for Miller. The Irish started 11-2 and one series on the road caught his attention.
"It was impressive," Miller said of the 2020 start. "Before I even talked to them, I thought it was impressive they swept North Carolina on the road. That's when I saw the program was turning things around."
But how much does a sweep on the road mean at the end of the day?
"It didn't make a huge difference, but I would say it was a difference because it showed how quickly the staff can turn things around," stated Miller. "I'm not sure if they weren't there, I don't know if they would sweep North Carolina on the road. It's a place I definitely want to go because they are developing players the right way."
Miller chose the Irish over Cincinnati, Coastal Carolina and Kent State and hopes he'll be able to keep being utilized as a two-way weapon.
"They did tell me they want me to do both at Notre Dame," said Miller. "They said if I don't throw strikes, then I'll play infield. If I struggle at the plate, then I'll pitch. I always have that to fall back on.
"I see myself doing both and I have confidence in myself to throw strikes and hit well. I think I'll be able to maintain both while I'm there."