He has struck out 292 batters in 227 professional innings and has met every challenge thrown at him thus far. Simply put, the Cardinals are getting everything they hoped for -- and then some -- from top pitching prospect Shelby Miller. After signability concerns helped push him to the19th overall pick in the 2009 draft, Miller projects to be a true No. 1 starter at the major league level.

Promoted to Double-A after just nine starts in the Florida State League, Miller has fanned 71 and walked 27, allowing just two homers, in 69 2/3 innings. The Texas right-hander doesn't even turn 21 until October, but he's not far off from big league duty.Miller has the prototypical 6-foot-3 pitcher's frame and almost everything you want in a premium starting pitching prospect. He'll sit in the mid-90s with easy velocity with his four-seam fastball but can dial it up a touch higher when he needs to, and the pitch appears to get on hitters quickly. His high-70s curveball projects to be a plus offering, a 12-to-6 bender that needs a touch more consistency; it gets a little too soft at times but will freeze hitters at any level. His circle change has made the improvement scouts were hoping for this season, as he's getting more of a feel for it. The pitch has the fade you want from it, and he sells it well with his arm speed. He's using that changeup to help keep left-handed batters in check -- he has a tendency to nibble a bit too much against lefties at times, but he hasn't allowed a long ball to one all season -- now he just needs more consistency with it.Although Miller has toyed with a two-seam fastball at times, he told me at the Futures Game that he's not really trying to change anything. "Just attack hitters with the fastball and then eventually try and fool them with some off-speed [stuff]," Miller said. "Last season I was still trying to figure it all out. Get my curve and change where I wanted them. Today they're still not perfect, and not exactly where I want them, but I'm a better pitcher. Just keep trucking along. The biggest thing for me is throwing off-speed more for strikes, and have my outings be more consistent."Along with the development of his changeup, Miller's fastball command has progressed as well. His clean delivery is a big reason for that, and his great athleticism has helped him to repeat it better, not cutting off his extension out front, and not kicking his leg too high.Miller has a 70-grade fastball (on the 20-to-80 scouting scale) and projects to have a plus curve and an above-average changeup. That repertoire combined with good command and control potential and mound presence make Miller one of the best right-handed pitching prospects in the game. (Although I still prefer the Braves' Julio Teheran, I wouldn't argue too hard if you made a good case for Miller being ahead of him.) Miller should be established in the Cardinals' rotation by the midpoint of next season, and should have fantasy impact as soon as he arrives.

Top 11 for '11 (plus recent call-ups analysis)