Brad Miller’s power has been a very pleasant surprise for the Rays. 

The Olympia High School graduate had 14 home runs before the All-Star break, and he tied the single season record for homers from a Rays shortstop with his 15th against the Orioles on Sunday.

His next round tripper will put him ahead of Julio Lugo (2003) and Asdrubal Cabrera (2015), the only other Rays to hit 15 in one season.

But Miller isn't satisfied yet.

He hopes to improve on all aspects of his game in the second half of the season.

"I felt like I was able to drive some balls, which was good," Miller said.  "But still I feel like it’s not the consistency I wanted to finish out the first half.  So I definitely have a lot of things to improve on and things I’ve been working on.  So I’m excited to put it into action."

Miller entered his first season with the Rays with 29 career home runs in three big league seasons with the Seattle Mariners.

He could potentially eclipse that total if he can continue to pound the ball over the wall.

"He does some things very unique at the plate," Rays manager Kevin Cash said.  "Maybe a little unorthodox at times, but it works for him.  He shows powers to all fields.  You don’t see to many lefties with that kind of swing that can drive the ball the other way like he can.

"So the way he’s turned into that gap hitter, he’s gotten some big hits for us.  And just something that he can just maintain."

The Orlando native has enjoyed returning to his roots since he was dealt to the Rays in the offseason in a trade that also brought Logan Morrison to Tampa Bay and sent Nathan Karns to Seattle.

Miller says his friends and family from Central Florida often drive to St. Petersburg to watch him play.

He loves the support, and hopes to give them more wins to celebrate in the final 70 games of the season.

Miller hopes to make his biggest improvements on defense.

He entered Tuesday with 13 errors, which was tied for the most among American League shortstops.

"There’s been some good things; there’s been some bad things," Miller said.  "But just building off of the first half- the things I’ve done well and trying to be more consistent and carry it over to the second half and finish strong.  Just being that day in day out stable presence."

Stability is exactly what the Rays need right now.

That- and a middle infielder who's got a shot at blasting 30 homers in a season.