WASHINGTON -- Make no mistake, regardless of how he finished the season, D-backs right-hander Shelby Miller was not going to consider 2016 a success.
Miller will be the first to tell you that it was a miserable year for him, but the 11 scoreless innings over his final two starts of the season will give him some good feelings heading into the offseason, which does have value.
"I feel like I'm throwing the ball well," Miller said after tossing five shutout frames against the Nationals on Wednesday night. "Obviously, I just kind of wish I would have done this earlier on. The way I just finished these past couple of games is huge. It's something to build off, going into 2017. I feel good where I'm at. I know where I'm at, mechanically and stuff, so I can go forward with more confidence knowing that I'm feeling good."
Unless the D-backs decide to trade Miller this offseason, which would seem foolish given how much they gave up for him and that his trade value coming off 2016 is extremely low, he will be an important piece in their rotation next season.
"He's going to pitch well in the big leagues again, and we're seeing it right now," D-backs manager Chip Hale said.