Top infield prospect Aidan Miller has raised some injury concerns for the Philadelphia Phillies after being reassigned to minor league camp on March 12, which effectively removes him from Grapefruit League action this spring.
Miller, ranked as the organization’s top prospect by MLB Pipeline, has been dealing with a lingering back issue that has prevented him from appearing in spring training games.
The same problem also affected him near the end of the 2025 minor league season and kept him from participating in the Arizona Fall League, according to reports.
Manager Rob Thomson revealed on March 8 that Miller had not swung a bat in roughly two weeks, which raised concerns given that he was expected to receive significant playing time during camp.
While the team may simply be exercising caution with one of its most promising prospects, the recurring nature of the back issue adds some uncertainty.
Still, the Phillies believe the situation is precautionary, and there is hope that Miller could return to minor league action by late April without long-term complications.
Because of the setback, Miller may not be ready for the start of the minor league season. Once healthy, he is expected to begin the year with Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate.
During a brief eight-game stint at Triple-A in 2025, he impressed with a .333/.514/.519 slash line, one home run, one RBI, and seven stolen bases, along with a strong 1.29 walk-to-strikeout ratio and a 185 wRC+. Over the past two seasons, he has also played at least 100 games each year in the minors.
Spring training would have been valuable preparation for Miller, particularly given his limited experience at the Triple-A level. It also would have given him the opportunity to work at multiple infield positions.
With Trea Turner firmly established at shortstop, the team planned to give Miller reps at second base and third base. That flexibility could be important in the future, especially with Alec Bohm set to become a free agent after the season, potentially opening a long-term role for Miller at third base.
For now, Miller is not on the Phillies’ 40-man roster, and his injury likely reduces the chances of an early-season call-up if the major league infield suffers injuries.
The team will soon adjust its roster as it trims down to the 26-man Opening Day group, leaving Miller’s immediate future dependent on how quickly he recovers from his back issue. ⚾
