The Phillies will challenge the best hitter in their minor-league system with an aggressive Double-A promotion, multiple reports said Sunday.
The club is set to promote infielder Aidan Miller, Philadelphia’s 2023 first-round draft pick, to Double-A Reading, according to minor-league reporter Chase Ford. Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline confirmed the news.
Miller, 20, has now advanced to his third minor-league level of the season, beginning the year in Single-A Clearwater and moving up to High-A Jersey Shore in June. He’s slashing .265/.373/.460 with 11 home runs, 28 doubles, six triples and 22 steals in 97 games in his first full professional season, and he played in the MLB All-Star Futures Game in July.
The 27th overall pick in last year’s draft, Miller is an advanced right-handed hitter with a combination of a mature approach, contact and power. He’s stuck at shortstop so far in his career, a valuable aspect of his game if he can maintain his defense; he could still be expected to move to third base or another position in the long run. Miller is the top hitting prospect in the organization and the second best Phillies prospect overall behind injured starting pitcher Andrew Painter.
The Phillies sending Miller to Double-A will allow the promising young batter to face higher competition while also securing additional opportunities to play as the season winds down. Jersey Shore’s regular season concludes on this upcoming Sunday, Sept. 8; Reading’s season finishes a week later on Sept. 15 in Harrisburg.
The Fightins have a day off on Monday, then return to action on Tuesday for a six-game series against Erie at Reading’s FirstEnergy Stadium.
