Noah Miller Quietly Proving Prospect Value

Owen Miller, Noah's brother, has progressed quite well for Cleveland. Both of the Miller players acquit them selves in a positive fashion at the plate and in the field. The Twins must feel pretty good about how Noah has done thus far this year. Nice post about Noah Miller.

Good article.  I had my doubts when he was selected, but he is making me a believer.  He has hit a bit of a rough spot in his hitting, but that is not unusual for a young hitter experiencing his first full year of professional baseball--it can wear young players down a bit physically.  However, he has never let his defense slide, and he has a great eye at the plate.  I like his future.

Better switch position. Twins have their shortstop for the next 7-10 years if they are smart and sign Correa long term!!

Yeah, I'm really worried about him because he's from a cold weather state. Many such disadvantaged players could have achieved so much more if only they had been raised in the south.  Players like Joe Mauer, Paul Monitor, Dave Winfield, Kent Hrbek, Jack Morris, Glen Perkins, Dave Goltz come to mind off the top of my head.  Oh, Justin Morneau was from.....Canada!  So I'd say there's a chance, just a small one, that Miller could overcome the odds that the cold-weather gods have stacked against him.

I love this kind of review and projection.  He has prospered and that is exciting.  What is the level that is considered the real make or break for players - is is AA?

Have great expectations for this young man. He's most certainly on my radar

1 hour ago, RJA said:

Good article.  I had my doubts when he was selected, but he is making me a believer.  He has hit a bit of a rough spot in his hitting, but that is not unusual for a young hitter experiencing his first full year of professional baseball--it can wear young players down a bit physically.  However, he has never let his defense slide, and he has a great eye at the plate.  I like his future.

I had my doubts as well.  With pretty much average tools across the board it felt like a reach for a Sup 1 round pick.  For his first year I am very impressed with his balanced approach at the plate and defense.  Defense was my greatest concern for Miller sticking at short with an arm graded 55 and speed 50 he didn't have much room for error to be moved off the position.  Still in a very SSS he looked like a big leaguer this spring  and like the OP said errors are not the entire story when it comes to defense but IMO they do tend to predict who can stay at a position long term.  He looks like he can stay there right now.

Would like to see a bit more contact and harder contact but if he continues to play as he has been, he has to see his first year as a success and worthy of moving up to High A next year.

His fielding at SS is aptly described by Tom Froemming as "smooth".  I saw Noah Miller at spring training this year and was immediately impressed with his glove work. 

At this point he looks like a utility infielder, a backup shortstop due to lack of hitting.  And honestly, that's the role of most shortstops (who stick) drafted where the Twins took Miller.

Fort Myers is a notorious pitcher's park, and the FSL is a pitcher's league, so we might excuse him through this year, but if he doesn't put up pretty stats in Cedar Rapids next year, I think we're looking at utility.  Think Jace Peterson.

5 hours ago, twinstalker said:

At this point he looks like a utility infielder, a backup shortstop due to lack of hitting.  And honestly, that's the role of most shortstops (who stick) drafted where the Twins took Miller.

Fort Myers is a notorious pitcher's park, and the FSL is a pitcher's league, so we might excuse him through this year, but if he doesn't put up pretty stats in Cedar Rapids next year, I think we're looking at utility.  Think Jace Peterson.

I think you need to take into consideration that he is only 19 at least 2 years younger than most players in that league.  I f you look at last year and what Cavaco and Urbina did he seems far more advanced than both players.  In fact he is hitting better than Cavaco right now and Cavaco is 21.  So if you factor that in I think his bat looks good already.

He could end up a utility player but I think a lot would have to go wrong for that to happen given his balanced approach at the plate and the fact he will be most likely be young for all levels as he moves up.

"A couple of questions surrounded Miller when he was drafted, including his age and skill level coming from a cold-weather state. He was already 19 years old, which is old for a high school player."

Not to nitpick, but his B-Day is in November.  He didn't turn 19 until Nov. 12th (after the draft).  

Born: November 12, 2002 (Age: 19-221d) in Fredonia, WI 

Draft: Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 1st round (36th) of the 2021 MLB June Amateur Draft from Ozaukee HS (Fredonia, WI).

"Miller played his high school career in Wisconsin, which can put players at a disadvantage because the weather can impact their playing time as an amateur." 

This reminds me a funny story.  On my son's Official Visit to the school he eventually committed to, his coach joked with us that "if a college coach wants a hitter, you look to the South... if you want and arm, look up North."  Admittedly this would be the polar (no pun intended) opposite of that joke, but this just reminded me of that .

A kid at 19 20 who at A ball can control the strike zone BB to K and has good bat to ball skills is what you want to see.  The power comes later.  Also the very low error amount is also great.  The little tricks and anticipation that comes with playing at SS take a ok fielder to a good fielder or good to great.  Miller has the arm for SS so that’s a great sign. 
 

He is a kid I DO NOT want to see moved at the deadline