A FAN’S VIEW: LHP Erik Miller
An inside look at the Phillies top prospects.
(MLBPipeline lists the top 30 prospects on each team’s website. While biding time waiting for baseball to resume, Steve Potter will provide his views of these young players. A Clearwater resident, his passion is seeing and following these prospects in person. Normally, Spectrum Field and Carpenter Complex are his second homes. His 4th Annual Phillies Minor League Digest is on sale at www.amazon.com.)
LHP Erik Miller
Phillies # 9 prospect according to MLB.com … 22 years old … 2019 4th round selection out of Stanford University.
We had a chance to meet Erik shortly after he signed last summer at Carpenter Complex. A very intelligent young man, engaging and well spoken. We talked about fastball velocity; he stated that often times he gets better movement at lower velocities along with command. Isn’t totally reliant on just speed; old school thoughts with new school talent.
Erik pitched at three levels in his initial pro season, starting in the GCL which is where we saw him, then at Williamsport for six games and finishing up at Lakewood with three … He was flat out dominant for the Cutters (0.90 ERA in 20 IP) and also at Lakewood (2.08 ERA in 13 IP). Including college, he tossed 119 innings in 2019 .
Projection
Erik has the potential of having three dominant pitches (FB — 92–94 but flashes 96–97) , excellent slider and above average change. He’s capable of fast tracking up the ladder. Would have begun this year at Clearwater. If he continues to harness command and control we see a potential dominant hurler who could become a long-time piece of the Phillies starting rotation.
