July 09, 2023
After their shocking and memorable run to the World Series last fall, the Phillies found themselves drafting at the bottom of the first round for the first time in more than a decade.
With the 27th overall pick, the Phillies chose Aidan Miller, a high school infielder from Florida. He is 19, 6-foot-2 and a right-handed hitter with some power. He's committed to Arkansas, but if he goes pro he'll likely find himself playing third base due to his highly rated arm.
The Phillies are taking 19 year-old 3B Aidan Miller at 27th overall. He was ranked 13th overall on MLB Network's Top Draft Prospects.
— Alex Carr (@AlexCarrMLB) July 10, 2023
This is a coup of a pick. Miller is a top 10 talent in the draft with a major power tool.
Lots to iron out here, but the talent is supreme.
Miller broke his hand prior to the draft process and many surmise he'd have been a top 10 pick if he hadn't gotten hurt.
It doesn't seem long ago that the Phillies were a team struggling to evaluate talent at the top of drafts, but it seems like they've bucked that trend. In the years since their swings and misses with Cornelius Randolph (2015), Mickey Moniak (2016) and Adam Haseley (2017), the Phillies have connected — and appear like they'll continue to do so — with their subsequent top draft picks.
| Year | Player | |
| 2018 | Alec Bohm | .278/.325/.399 in 368 MLB games |
| 2019 | Bryson Stott | .262/.311/.385 in 209 MLB games |
| 2020 | Mick Abel | Pitched in MLB Futures Game |
| 2021 | Andrew Painter | No. 1 prospect in system |
| 2022 | Justin Crawford | Played in MLB Futures Game |
With the Phillies looking to win now, it will be interesting to see how quickly the team will be able to get their latest four first-rounders in the mix in South Philly.
The Phillies forfeited their second-round pick due to their expensive recent free-agent signings. They will pick next on Monday at 98 overall.
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