The Philadelphia Phillies’ promising prospect Aidan Miller has recently achieved a significant milestone by stealing over 40 bases this season with Double-A Reading, sparking early comparisons to established star Trea Turner. Miller’s base-stealing ability is making waves as he inches closer to the Major Leagues, highlighting his potential value to the Phillies’ future lineup.

This season, Miller reached his 40th stolen base, becoming the first player for Reading to reach that mark since 2009, according to the team’s public relations director Jake Starr. Although Miller’s overall batting performance this year has been below his usual standards, with a slash line of .233/.351/.375 across 85 games, his development as a base stealer has accelerated sharply. After stealing only four bases in his first 20 games this year, he is now on pace to exceed 50 steals by the end of the season.

Comparing Miller’s Base-Stealing Skillset with Trea Turner’s Profile

The early comparisons to Trea Turner center on their shared knack for stealing bases. Turner, Philadelphia’s current shortstop, has consistently combined power hitting with elite speed on the basepaths. He averages around 24 home runs and 40 stolen bases per 162 games and has accumulated 304 steals in his Major League career, including 25 stolen bases so far this season against the Texas Rangers.

Despite Turner’s long-term contract securing his place with the Phillies through 2033, Miller’s continued progress grants the team flexibility. As Alec Bohm approaches free agency in 2027, Miller has time to refine his hitting power and potentially ascend to Triple-A before reaching the majors. This timeline could allow Miller to play alongside Turner early in his major league tenure, offering the Phillies a dynamic combination of speed and offense.

Tracing Aidan Miller’s Professional Baseball Journey

The Phillies drafted Miller in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft, selecting him 27th overall from Mitchell High School in New Port Richey, Florida. Miller debuted in the Phillies’ minor league system late in 2023, impressing with a .303 batting average over 20 games.

In 2024, Miller began the season with Clearwater at Class-A before progressing to High-A Jersey Shore on July 13 and eventually reaching Double-A Reading on September 3. His 2024 season also included an appearance in the prestigious MLB Futures Game, held at Globe Life Field during All-Star weekend in Arlington, Texas.

Over 102 games in 2024, Miller posted a .261/.366/.446 slash line with 11 home runs and 60 RBIs, accompanied by 28 doubles, six triples, and a growing base-stealing presence with 23 stolen bases. His plate discipline is evidenced by 56 walks and 100 strikeouts, showing a balanced approach to his offensive development.

Phillies’ Emerging Talents Signal Hope for the Franchise’s Future

Alongside Miller, the Phillies are closely monitoring other top prospects such as pitcher Andrew Painter, the club’s 2021 first-round pick, who is expected to receive a Major League call-up later this year according to Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. Outfielder Justin Crawford, the 2022 first-round pick, is currently performing in Triple-A with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and continues to advance.

Miller’s evolving skill set, highlighted by his surge in stolen bases, illustrates the Phillies’ growing depth of young talent. As these prospects mature, they could form a critical component in the Phillies’ ambition to compete at the highest level. Miller’s speed paired with a developing bat might provide the team with a versatile asset capable of impacting games in multiple ways.