Philadelphia Phillies 2023 Draftee Dominating Rookie Season
Developing home grown talent was not a strength of the Philadelphia Phillies in the previous few years. It was something that Bryce Harper really implored the organization to focus on during an offseason, highlighting how important internal development is to overall success.
The Phillies have been rewarded with those efforts, getting major production from Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm after they were given their MLB opportunities.
With more focus on minor league development, one of their most coveted draft picks from 2023 has flashed immediately in his first season of professional baseball.
Philadelphia took infielder Aidan Miller out of high school with their first round pick. He fell to them at 27 because he missed his senior season with a broken bone in his hand.
That could prove to be one of the most fortunate situations for the Phillies as they might have a future superstar on their hands.
MLB.com writes, "The early returns to prove that have been very promising, as he’s hit his way from the FCL to full-season Clearwater… He likely will be a third baseman long-term, but has been able to man shortstop during his debut."
In 10 games at the Rookie ball level, Miller slashed .414/.528/.483 across 29 at-bats. This earned him a promotion to their Single-A affiliate where he is now hitting .216/.341/.297 across his 10 games at that level.
Despite the drop off in numbers at the plate, the 19-year-old has impressed in his first professional season. The reason why Philadelphia took a chance on a high school prospect with a broken hand was because of his hitting.
The Phillies amateur scouting director Brian Barber said, "The big attraction with Aidan is the bat. He was just one of the best hitters in the country that we saw. It’s a combination of hit and power, there’s strength, there’s ability to hit the ball hard, there’s bat-to-ball skills. It’s just a guy that we walked away from last year and we just absolutely loved the bat."
Miller is someone that the organization and fans alike should monitor as he continues to develop at the minor league level.
