From Ruston to Natchitoches

Josh Miller is ready to earn his Division I opportunity.

After playing at Bossier Parish Community College this season, the former Ruston Bearcat is taking his pitching talents to Northwestern State University after officially announcing his plans on social media.

Miller, a 6-1, 190-pound pitcher, appeared in 15 games and started 6 last season for BPCC, pitching 35 2/3 innings with 28 strikeouts and a 6.06 ERA. Before ending up in Bossier, Miller began his college career at Southwest Mississippi Community College.

Now, the Ruston High School alum is excited for putting his talents on a Division I stage.

But he’s not about to go in with a puffed chest. His mentality hasn’t changed since his high school playing days: you get what you earn.

“It feels great, man,” Miller said after his announcement. “I started in Mississippi in the JUCO route and then came back closer to home this season at Bossier Parish Community College, and now I’m getting a chance at a DI program.

“No specific role or anything like that. I gotta earn a spot in the fall and focus on that. There’s no promise or anything like that. I’ve got to go earn it.”

Miller said DI coaches value strike- throwers more than anything and will give chances to consistent arms who get outs when the time comes.

Ruston baseball coach Zack Smith could tell Miller had the pitching skills to make it far, even if his opportunities were limited.

“I always thought he had a good arm and good ball movement whenever he pitched,” Smith said. “Whenever he did take the mound, it was a bulldog mentality. Just fun to watch him work. Just has the mentality you want as a ballplayer.”

In his senior season, Miller only threw 18 2/3 innings with a 3.38 ERA and 17 strikeouts, primarily playing catcher to help with a roster deficiency.

Smith, who was an assistant at the time, praised Miller for taking the position change respectfully and embracing the new role to help his team.

Miller was a LSWA 5A All-State honorable mention in 2021 to go with a First Team All-District selection as a catcher.

“I thought he handled it like a pro,” Smith said. “He knew we were in need of a catcher, and he didn’t bat an eye, and he competed his tail off. He did that when he caught and when he was called in to pitch too.”

NSU players will report to campus in early August, where Miller will begin his DI journey.

Is he anticipating a big transition from the JUCO ranks to DI competition in the Southland Conference?

Maybe, but Miller believes his previous stops prepared him well enough for what may come his way.

“I feel like guys are going to have better at bats, but going into Region 14 JUCO was a great thing because they breed hitters out of there and have a lot of DI bounce backs, even some draft picks out of there this year,” Miller said. “ I think it got me ready for what I’m going to see.”

One of those stops is of course his time in Ruston, where Miller said he learned the importance of maturity and the value of getting better.

In high school, where it can be easy to compare and over-hype or sharply criticize yourself, Miller took his coaches’ messaging to heart: Even without top-flight talent, hard workers find a path forward.

He’s grateful to have walked the JUCO path, now realizing it was meant to show him that the mature, grind-it-out player will get his shot.

It’s only a matter of time.

“My message would be if you’re not over the top, just full of talent, the JUCO route is the way to go,” Miller said. “I’ve heard a lot of people say they maybe don’t like going to DI right out of high school because they likely sit for two years. You go to a JUCO; you get your playing time and go mature for two years. That’s what DI coaches care about because you’ve got to be mature to handle failure or the intensity of the game at that level.”