2023 MLB Draft Profile: Aidan Miller (3B)

By / / 2023 MLB Draft, Draft Coverage, FutureSox

NAME: Aidan Miller
SCHOOL: JW Mitchell High School (FL)
POSITION: 3B
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-2/205 pounds
B/T: R/R
D.O.B.: 6/9/2004
PREVIOUSLY DRAFTED: Never

Scouting Report

Aidan Miller is a young high-upside prep hitter with the potential to be an impact bat at an early age. He was impressive on the mound as well during his high school career, but his twitchy and powerful hitting is where he’ll stick and become an elite prospect quickly.

The brother of former second-round pick Jackson Miller, Aidan has more offensive upside and will likely get drafted much higher than his brother did in 2020. Aidan Miller won the All-American Game MVP and Home Run Derby last summer on the showcase circuit.

He’s currently committed to Arkansas but is doubtful to make his way there given his likely first-round status in the upcoming draft. MLB Pipeline ranks Miller as the 12th overall prospect in the 2023 class despite the fact that he’s a high school talent who will be 19-years-old on draft day.

While he missed the majority of his senior season with a hamate injury, his offensive profile is one of the most impressive among prep hitters in a loaded class of college bats. His raw power at just 18 years old is beyond impressive and he backs it up with impressive barrel work that enables him to drive pitches of various locations.

With exit velocity marks of nearly 100mph last summer, his natural power and ability to drive his hands through the zone make for an ideal fit as a professional third baseman. His power upside is the biggest selling point, but his hit tool is strong for a prep hitter and could continue to improve.

He recorded more walks than strikeouts during his career in high school and recorded an average above .400 in both his sophomore and junior seasons with an OPS over 1.100 in both years as well. He has grown into his power with time and should continue to do so once drafted.

Miller began his high school career as a shortstop but transitioned to third base as he filled out and gained strength. His glove is not elite, but his arm strength and hands should give him the opportunity to remain at third base. There’s a chance he eventually makes more sense at first base, but his bat provides the upside teams are looking for out of a high school hitter regardless of his future position.

Beyond the clear top two prep hitters in Walker Jenkins and Max Clark, Miller may have the next highest ceiling at the plate. His swing is consistent and smooth with improving bat-to-ball skills that supplement his elite raw power.

Why the White Sox Draft Miller?

The White Sox have gone the route of taking prep players with tons of potential in the past two drafts. While Colson Montgomery and Bryan Ramos are currently two of the top prospects in the system, the status of the infield is fairly unclear beyond them and the White Sox need to focus on talent above fit right now.

With Yoán Moncada and Tim Anderson seeming less likely to be part of the future than they had a year or two ago and the second base spot continuing to be a problem, adding an infielder feels like a good option. Two years ago, the organization was comfortable with taking a 19-year-old prep infielder with Colson Montgomery. That gamble has paid off and they could go back to the well again in 2023.

Miller is likely to be valued right around the 15th pick, which would give the team financial flexibility to go after some college players that may have fallen into later rounds as they did with Peyton Pallette last year. If the team continues its recent trend of going for high-upside and often young players, Miller makes a lot of sense.

While he would take some time to work his way through the minor leagues, he could rise quicker than many prep bats due to his already advanced frame and power. If he’s able to continue his approach and limit his swing and miss, he could become a factor for the White Sox as early as 2026.

Mock Drafts

Across the board, Miller had been consistently mocked within a few picks of where the White Sox will pick at 15th overall earlier in the process. Jim Callis of MLB.com had Miller going 17th to the Orioles in his first projection. Meanwhile, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com projected Miller to the Boston Red Sox at #14 overall in the publication’s latest. Just Baseball’s staff mock was a spot where Miller was projected to the White Sox at the 15th pick by Aram Leighton.

Keith Law of the Athletic has Miller falling to Atlanta at the 24th overall pick in his most recent mock. Carlos Collazo of Baseball America noted that the 19-year-old has a “lightning quick bat and plus power” but placed him with the Milwaukee Brewers at #33 overall in the comp round. This seems to be the low end of where he could go as most places have him going in the teens. Kiley McDaniel of ESPN released his first edition as well and had Miller going 19th to the Rays. The early 20s range seems to be the floor for Miller given his upside, but his recent injury could potentially drop him to around this range.

Miller was seen as a potential top-10 pick prior to his injury after a dominant summer last year but has fallen a tad and could be in play for the White Sox at the 15th pick.