Phillies news and rumors 7/19: First-round pick Aidan Miller signs contract, hits home runs in batting practice

Aidan Miller was selected in the first round by the Phillies in 2023. (Tim Kelly/Phillies Nation)

First-round draft pick Aidan Miller fulfilled another dream on Tuesday, visiting Citizens Bank Park to sign his first professional contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

The No. 27 overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft spent the day around the club and its facilities, even taking batting practice on the field with the team before its game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Miller put the pop from his right-handed bat on display as he launched a home run into the bullpen in right-center field.

“I got all of that one,” he told reporters.

Miller, a 19-year-old out of J.W. Mitchell High School in Florida, had the chance to speak with some of the major leaguers on the Phillies for the first time. Kyle Schwarber — himself a former first rounder selected by the Cubs in 2014 — was one player who spoke with the young prospect, welcoming him to the organization.

“Just wanted to make him feel comfortable and welcome,” Schwarber said. “A lot of the guys were talking to him, and were really impressed by the swing and the natural power and things like that. … I’m excited to see his future and to see how it grows for him.”

Miller was appreciative of the support he received from the veterans in the clubhouse.

“Those guys are awesome,” he said. “They were kind of telling me they’ve been in my same shoes. A lot of them were first rounders — giving me advice, what the journey’s going to be like, things to expect. It was a great time.”

Arriving last Friday, Miller enjoyed his first exposure to Philadelphia, taking in the city, the food and the excitement for sports. And while Philly has been a new experience for him, the next stop will be a bit more familiar.

Miller leaves for the Phillies training complex in Clearwater on Friday, only 20 miles south of where he went to high school. He grew up a Tampa Bay Rays fan, but attended a number of spring training and Threshers games at BayCare Ballpark in his youth. That proximity should help Miller get adjusted as he begins his pro career.

“I’m super comfortable at the ballpark and the facility,” Miller said of Clearwater. “It’s right in my backyard, so I couldn’t ask for a better situation.”

Heading down to the Phillies complex, he’s excited to get back in the swing of baseball and start playing in games eventually. There’s still discussion about what defensive position Miller will handle in the big leagues, but he’s willing to go wherever the organization needs or wants him. Miller just wants to play and start his journey to hopefully return back to Philadelphia in the future.

“I can’t wait to start,” he said.

Must-read (or watch) Phillies content

Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote a story on how Nick Castellanos has taken rookie Johan Rojas under his wing.
Phillies president Dave Dombrowski went on Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman’s podcast for the New York Post, The Show, to talk trade deadline and more.
Matt Gelb of The Athletic wrote about the Phillies rotation and what its status means for the trade deadline.
As our own Destiny Lugardo wrote, Kyle Schwarber is that dude.