The Philadelphia Phillies are having an outstanding regular season so far. Some of the young prospects in the farm system are also doing well. Most of the organization's impressive talent is with the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Phillies (Starlyn Caba), Single-A Clearwater Threshers (Aidan Miller) or High-A Jersey Shore BlueClaws (Justin Crawford).
Phillies top prospect is coming for Trea Turner's job
After excelling with the FCL Phillies in 10 games last season, Miller debuted with the Threshers but he struggled a bit with a slash line of .216/.341/.297 in 10 games. However, Philadelphia's 2023 first-round pick has found success with Clearwater in 2024.
Miller is slashing .284/.410/.496 in 35 games this season. The shortstop has five home runs, 15 doubles, 26 RBI and 25 walks, demonstrating his ability to get on base and get timely hits to score runners.
The infielder has a few years before his estimated arrival to the majors in 2027. Miller may be promoted to the High-A BlueClaws with how well he has done with the Threshers. He still needs to show he can develop in High-A, followed by Double-A with the Reading Fightin Phils, and with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in Triple-A.
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer's Alex Coffey, the Phillies' No. 2 prospect continues to receive glowing reviews from their front office. Miller is one of the top young players who the organization values.
Many other MLB executives may show interest in him if Philadelphia attempts to acquire other needs at this year's trade deadline. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski may not continue with trade negotiations with another club that covets the 19-year-old infielder.
Could Miller be the Phillies' future shortstop?
Preston Mattingly, the Phillies' assistant general manager of player development, spoke with MLB.com's Paul Casella about the intangibles that have contributed to Miller's success thus far in his minor league career.
"The most impressive thing about Aidan is his mindset and his work ethic," Mattingly said, per Casella. "I think, since the day we got him, he's been driven to get better every single day. Just a relentless pursuit of better, whether it's defensive, offensive, baserunning -- he's always looking to improve. He has the mindset we're looking for for all of our Phillies players."
There were rumors Miller could play third base but he has been used exclusively at shortstop. If he continues to excel throughout the Phillies' minor league system, what does that mean for Philly's future at the position?
"Aidan's a shortstop; we don't plan on playing him anywhere else," Mattingly said, per Casella. "Aidan thinks he's a shortstop, we think he's a shortstop -- so there's no intention of moving him.
Trea Tuner isn't going anywhere soon
Trea Turner has a no-trade clause in his mammoth 11-year contract he agreed to with the club in the 2022 offseason. That isn't a problem Philadelphia has to be concerned with presently. The 19-year-old has a few more years remaining until he is ready to make his MLB debut. Miller could also struggle initially in the majors and be sent back down, as was the case with Baltimore Orioles top prospect Jackson Holliday earlier this season.
Mattingly mentioned the organization doesn't have a set date on when Miller will be promoted in the minor league system: "I don't think we have a set date on when he's going to move up. We'll talk about it as a group and what we feel is best for his development and make a decision based on that."
For now, this is a good problem for the Phillies. Along with Caba, the club has two promising shortstops who still need to blossom further in the minor leagues before they are ready for the majors. For Miller, the sky appears to be the limit regarding his potential.