When the Philadelphia Phillies drafted Aidan Miller in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft, they knew they were getting a player with a ton of potential. Despite missing his senior year due to a broken hamate bone, the 19-year-old prospect has already gotten some attention around the league.
Miller has garnered enough attention that some MLB executives are predicting that he could be a breakout prospect this coming season. According to MLB Pipeline's Executive Prospect Poll, the Phillies' prospect appeared third on the list of players who could have big 2024 seasons.
It is not outrageous to think that Miller could be in line for an impressive season. In just 20 professional games last season — 10 in Rookie ball and 10 at Low-A Clearwater — the projected third baseman posted an .804 OPS.
In 80 plate appearances, Miller racked up 20 hits — four of which were for extra bases — and drew twelve walks. All in all, he slashed .303/.425/.379. The slugging percentage is lower than many scouts projected, but now that he has some professional at-bats under his belt, it wouldn't be surprising to see Miller hit for more power in 2024.
Aidan Miller’s first professional home run! pic.twitter.com/WIv1hYQBwE
— Milb Central (@milb_central) September 16, 2023
Some of that power was on display in the Florida State League playoffs. In six games, the third-base prospect hit .348 with a home run, a triple, and four RBI.
Miller was a steal with the 27th overall pick
Not only was the Phillies' first-rounder predicted to have a breakout campaign this coming season, but he was also labeled as the biggest steal of the 2023 draft by Jim Callis of MLB.com. The argument is that Miller's raw potential should have seen him drafted earlier. However, teams passed him up because he missed his senior season.
Miller was ranked 90th in the end-of-the-year prospect rankings by MLB.com. Callis asserts that he'll likely move up considerably on the list prior to the start of this coming season. Scouts rate the young prospect as having above-average power and arm strength, projecting as a third baseman. At just 19, Miller has plenty of time to develop that raw power and become a more complete player.
Baseball Prospectus recently ranked Miller as the Phillies' No. 2 prospect in the organization behind Andrew Painter. At such a young age, the club will have time to watch him mature and learn to play the game professionally. As Phillies fans know, prospects can be hit or miss, but Miller is certainly a young player to keep an eye on as he progresses through the system.