Many knew it was coming, but it was down to the wire as right hand pitcher Shelby Miller signed a $2.875 million contract with St. Louis just a few hours before a 11pm deadline last night.

According to the Cardinals official website, Miller will go to St. Louis next week for a press conference and will work out with the Cardinals’ staff. After that, it’s possible that he will be sent out to pitch some innings for one of the team’s Minor League affiliates.  The team’s goal is to have Miller pitch a few innings before the season ends.

Shelby Miller was a highly rated high school ball player and was a first round draft pick by the Cardinals in June. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Miller was 10-2 with a 2.00 ERA as a senior at Brownwood. He had 153 strikeouts in 77 2/3 innings.

Miller had committed to attend Texas A&M but was vocal about his desire to play as a professional.