MLB Prospect Season Heats Up: Phillies' Miller Emerges as Top Shortstop Prospect
The highly anticipated prospect season is in full swing, with various outlets publishing their rankings of the best young players in baseball ahead of spring training. The Philadelphia Phillies have emerged as one of the teams with a wealth of talented prospects, and their top shortstop prospect, Aidan Miller, has shot up to the sixth-best position in the country.
Miller's trajectory is nothing short of impressive, having improved dramatically over his two full seasons in the Phillies' system. According to Keith Law, who recently published his take on MLB's top 100 prospects, Miller is a power-hitting shortstop with a high ceiling. The 23rd-ranked prospect by MLB.com has now garnered significant attention from scouts and analysts alike.
Law believes that Miller will push the Phillies into making tough decisions about their middle infield before this year is out. He also predicts that Miller may be ready for the majors sooner rather than later, requiring only minor refinement in his pitch recognition skills. By July 1, Law suggests that Miller could become the best choice for shortstop at Citizens Bank Park.
The emergence of Miller as a top prospect has significant implications for the Phillies' infield. The team's earlier attempt to upgrade with Bo Bichette was complicated and would have required trading away key players like Alec Bohm or Bryson Stott, a scenario that may have led to Miller becoming more viable as a major league option.
Other Phillies prospects also made notable appearances in Law's rankings. Andrew Painter, the 22nd-ranked prospect, boasts an impressive high ceiling and could find himself on the Phillies' Opening Day rotation this March. Justin Crawford ranks 48th, highlighting his talents as a singles hitter and defender, although lacking power. Meanwhile, Aroon Escobar rounds out the top 100 with his bat projected to deliver strong production.
Lastly, catcher Eduardo Tait, traded to the Twins in part of the Jhoan Duran deal, is worth noting at 93rd place. While not a direct contributor to the Phillies' prospect conversation, Tait's inclusion serves as a reminder that talent comes in various forms and can sometimes take unexpected paths.
The highly anticipated prospect season is in full swing, with various outlets publishing their rankings of the best young players in baseball ahead of spring training. The Philadelphia Phillies have emerged as one of the teams with a wealth of talented prospects, and their top shortstop prospect, Aidan Miller, has shot up to the sixth-best position in the country.
Miller's trajectory is nothing short of impressive, having improved dramatically over his two full seasons in the Phillies' system. According to Keith Law, who recently published his take on MLB's top 100 prospects, Miller is a power-hitting shortstop with a high ceiling. The 23rd-ranked prospect by MLB.com has now garnered significant attention from scouts and analysts alike.
Law believes that Miller will push the Phillies into making tough decisions about their middle infield before this year is out. He also predicts that Miller may be ready for the majors sooner rather than later, requiring only minor refinement in his pitch recognition skills. By July 1, Law suggests that Miller could become the best choice for shortstop at Citizens Bank Park.
The emergence of Miller as a top prospect has significant implications for the Phillies' infield. The team's earlier attempt to upgrade with Bo Bichette was complicated and would have required trading away key players like Alec Bohm or Bryson Stott, a scenario that may have led to Miller becoming more viable as a major league option.
Other Phillies prospects also made notable appearances in Law's rankings. Andrew Painter, the 22nd-ranked prospect, boasts an impressive high ceiling and could find himself on the Phillies' Opening Day rotation this March. Justin Crawford ranks 48th, highlighting his talents as a singles hitter and defender, although lacking power. Meanwhile, Aroon Escobar rounds out the top 100 with his bat projected to deliver strong production.
Lastly, catcher Eduardo Tait, traded to the Twins in part of the Jhoan Duran deal, is worth noting at 93rd place. While not a direct contributor to the Phillies' prospect conversation, Tait's inclusion serves as a reminder that talent comes in various forms and can sometimes take unexpected paths.