Philadelphia Phillies’ No. 1 prospect finally playing like it again
Aidan Miller has found his groove this month after early struggles in High-A.
Recently, Aidan Miller overtook Andrew Painter as the Philadelphia Phillies' top prospect according to MLB Pipeline's midseason update. Given the fact that Painter has missed all of the 2024 season recovering from Tommy John surgery and Miller has had a solid first full pro season, the change makes sense.
The club's 2023 first round pick has had an up-and-down season to this point but has certainly showed promise of late.
Aidan Miller is finally playing like the Phillies’ No. 1 prospect again
Miller began the 2024 season with a short, yet impressive, stint with Single-A Clearwater. Through 39 games there, the 20-year-old hit .275, posted an .884 OPS, hit five home runs, and drove in 26 teammates. This all went along with playing a solid defensive shortstop and swiping ten bags.
After the impressive showing with Clearwater, Miller was promoted to High-A Jersey Shore on June 11. His first 32 games appeared to be a big adjustment for the Phillies' top prospect. He managed to hit just .195 and slug two home runs. He also struck out 34 times in that span. To put that in perspective, he struck out 39 total in his time in Single-A.
As the calendar flipped to August, things changed for Miller. He has been on a tear and it seems he is beginning to adjust to the better level of pitching he is seeing in High-A. This month, he is hitting .352 in 18 games. During that time, he has a .425 on-base percentage and a .634 slugging percentage.
Miller has also accumulated 11 extra-base hits this month with three home runs — including this mammoth shot on Thursday night:
MLB's No. 29 prospect Aidan Miller (@Phillies) crushes his 5th homer for the High-A @BlueClaws, extending his hit streak to eight games: pic.twitter.com/gkl7kXhnaQ
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 23, 2024
In his 18 games in August, the top young talent has driven in 16 runs and has scored 15 times in the midst of a nine-game hitting streak heading into Saturday's contest. It appears his power and run-producing abilities are coming through as the season chugs along.
At just 20 years old, Miller still has much developing to do. Scouts around the industry have been impressed with the Phillies' first-round pick, however. Hopefully for the Phillies and Miller, he continues to improve at High-A. With just 14 games left in the High-A regular season, it seems likely that the 20-year-old will finish his season there. It would not be surprising to see him in Reading to start the 2025 campaign though.
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