The Philadelphia Phillies are buzzing with anticipation as spring training kicks off, spotlighting a few promising prospects. Justin Crawford and Andrew Painter are eyeing spots on the Opening Day roster, while Aidan Miller is making waves and could make his debut later this season. The young infielder recently earned high praise from Phillies' legend Larry Bowa, a former manager and Wall of Famer.
Drafted 27th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, Miller has been turning heads with his speed and potential at shortstop during his minor league stint. At just 21, his talent is catching the eye of those within the organization.
Larry Bowa, speaking with Tim Kelly, shared his thoughts on Miller's potential. "He's pretty good," Bowa noted. "I don't like to say can't miss, but if he progresses the way we're watching him now, this guy's going to be special."
Miller had a rocky start in Double-A Reading last year but found his stride by August, posting impressive numbers with four home runs, 16 RBIs, and a .348/.454/.629 slash line, ending with a 1.083 OPS. His September performance was even better, earning him a promotion to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Ranked No. 23 on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 prospect list, Miller has drawn comparisons to Alex Bregman, but with added speed. Steve Phillips of MLB Network highlighted his plate discipline, pitch recognition, and defensive skills, emphasizing Miller's role in the Phillies' future. A veteran scout even likened his potential to that of Mike Schmidt, underscoring the high expectations.
While Trea Turner holds down shortstop, Phillies' president Dave Dombrowski mentioned the possibility of Miller playing second or third base. With Alec Bohm's contract nearing its end, there’s potential for Miller to take over third base duties if promoted. He’ll get ample opportunities at the hot corner this spring.
As Miller prepares for his major league transition, the expectations are high. Yet, with the backing of legends like Bowa, he seems more than ready to rise to the occasion.