After an incredibly disappointing 2016 season, Shelby Miller is showing flashes of improvement this spring.

During an appearance on Wednesday against a squad of San Francisco Giants prospects, Miller had seven strikeouts and his four-seamer was sitting at 93-96 mph, touching 97.

"Throw up a second deck [of seats] and better competition, and you can bump that [velocity] up even more," a scout said of Miller.

Last season, Miller had the second-highest ERA (6.15), WHIP (1.67) and average against (.310) of any pitcher with at least 100 innings.

"I know what I read and I know what I saw last year," Torey Lovullo said. "I would have never guessed -- from my first interaction being on the phone to my first physical interaction -- I never would have guessed he had a tough year last year. He is on a really good path, a very forward path to being successful.

"I think he's ready to do some special things this year."