Mar 2, 2025; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies infielder Aidan Miller (81) signs autographs for fans before a game against the Toronto Blue Jays during spring training at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The big-league Phillies are 10-8. That's the same record they produced in the first 18 games of their 95-win 2024 campaign, and a little better than their record through 18 games in 2023 or 2022. It's way too early for despair.
But even those ready to bury this year's team (and there are plenty of valid reasons for concern) should be optimistic about the future of the franchise:
Worried that Aaron Nola's best years are behind him? 22-year-old phenom Andrew Painter, the Phillies' 2021 first-round pick, will be pitching at Citizens Bank Park this spring.
Concerned about center field? It's easy to imagine 21-year-old Justin Crawford, the Phillies' 2022 first-round draft pick, staking a claim to the position in the not-so-distant future.
Frustrated with the left side of the infield? Let's talk about 20-year-old Aidan Miller, the Phils' 2023 first-round pick.
MLB's No. 25 prospect Aidan Miller goes deep for the 2nd time in his past 3 Double-A @ReadingFightins home games 🎉@Phillies | @PhilsPlayerDev pic.twitter.com/AJrafZCSWV
On Pattison recently documented every pitch of Painter's season debut with the Clearwater Threshers and checked in on Crawford's progress with the AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Miller had a three-hit day with the AA Reading Fightin Phils on Wednesday, giving us a good excuse to discuss the third pillar of the Phillies' future.
How about this sign of life from Aidan Miller … He’s 3 for 3 tonight with two singles and a double for Reading pic.twitter.com/uYWSpXGRxg
Miller is currently slashing a modest .189/.286/.378 on the season, but that's in a sample size of just 42 plate appearances. The youngster has already flashed his power with a couple home runs, and Wednesday's performance highlighted his potential to be a plus contact hitter as well.
In four plate appearances, he collected two singles, a double, and a walk.
"Still getting comfortable here, finding my stride," Miller said after Wednesday's game, as he dodged a water cooler bath from a teammate. "Taking it one day at a time and I'm really enjoying it."
Here's MLB.com's assessment of Miller, written before the season began:
"Miller entered pro ball with a reputation for having tremendous raw pop, even if some thought he might be a power-over-hit type. He’s proven to have a solid approach and limit strikeouts while drawing walks, as well as having acumen at making adjustments as he’s seen new levels of pitching, doing things like cutting down the hitch and hand pump in his swing mechanics that some evaluators worried about. He’s improved his swing decisions, with confidence he could be an above-average hitter who knows he can get to his power naturally.
"While Miller played shortstop in high school, nearly everyone thought he’d have to move to third as he continued to physically mature. But he’s only played short thus far as a pro, and he’s driven to prove he can stay at the premium position. He’ll keep getting time there, though the Phillies will expose him to third and second base in 2025, not because they think he has to move immediately, but so there are options when that middle-of-the-order bat is ready for Philadelphia."
And here's what Baseball America ($) had to say entering this season:
"After an excellent season which saw him reach Double-A and cement himself as a Top 100 Prospect, Miller will likely open 2025 back at Reading. He has a future as a slugging infielder with a chance to stick at shortstop. If he has to move to third base, his bat should be plenty to profile at the position."
BA ranks Miller as the 34th-best prospect in baseball.
The current iteration of the major league Phillies club bought its way back into relevancy via high-priced free agents. For sustained success, however, the organization will need significant contributions from homegrown, low-cost talent. And while there are no guarantees in baseball, Miller and the Phils' other top prospects have a very good chance of providing exactly that.
In the meantime... let's try not to give up on the older guys just yet.
