Affeldt has really been nails lately.

Another off-season acquisition, Justin Miller, was signed to a minor-league contract even though his major league performance appeared to be rather solid. Miller has been the Giants’ garbage man and the last I saw had appeared in only five winning games out of 20. But his pitching has been excellent.

As I am posting this, Miller has replaced an injured Matt Cain and thus far is mimicking Jonathan Sanchez’s hitless outing last night and Tim Lincecum’s first six no-hit ininings the previous inning. Think the Padres are having a tough time hitting. ;)

Cain was hit on the elbow with a hard-hit ball up the middle. He lobbied to stay in the game, but when his first warmup throw went well over catcher Eli Whitesdie’s head, the Giants immediately went to Miller as a protective measure.

The Giants have had some unexpected surprises this season, but in terms of rags to riches, the biggest may have been Miller. Most ignored Justin’s signing, and Miller didn’t make the big league team until fellow reliever Joey Martinez was beaned with a line drive and suffered a concussion that still has him pitching rehab assignments.

Awful result for Martinez, but a great break (almost literally, since Martinez suffered a skull fracture) for Miller. And Justin has certainly taken advantage.

Miller is now being replaced after pitching 3.1 scoreless innings, lowering his ERA to 1.98. In his previous performance he gave up a run in his second inning, but in his first came in with the bases loaded and no outs, and yielded only one run on a double play and a ground out.

So Affeldt has been the Giants’ best off-season acquisition and Juan Uribe is another guy who has overperformed as a minor-league signee, but Miller probaby gets the award as the least-known Giant who has given excellent perfomance.

Even with a sub-2.00 ERA, I’m not sure most baseball fans know who Justin Miller is. I’m guessing opposing batters do though.