San Diego Padres: Three underrated prospects to watch in 2020

Owen Miller, 2B/SS

I am not quite sure where Owen Miller fits long-term, but there is a lot to like about this kid. Selected in the third round of the 2018 MLB draft, Miller comes from a smaller school that has recently turned around its baseball program in Illinois State.

Miller left before the Redbirds posted a 36-26 record in 2019 and fell at the hands of the Louisville Cardinals in the NCAA Regionals. However, the Mequon, Wisconsin native posted remarkable numbers in 2018, including a .384/.433/.537 line with 15 doubles, one triple, six home runs, and 35 RBI with nearly a 1-to-1 walk to strikeout ratio.

He finished out the 2018 season with 75 games splits between the Padres short-season outfit and Single-A Fort Wayne. Combined, he posted a .336/.386/.460 line with 19 doubles, three triples, four home runs, and 33 RBI.

His defense has been questionable at third base and shortstop but posted a .980 fielding percentage at second in 48 minor league games.

Last year, he played for the Double-A Amarillo and posted a .307/.367/.441 line with 28 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, and 68 RBI. As observed in the statistics, the power will come as Miller matures into his body.

He could stand to gain another 10-15 pounds of muscle, but again, I am not entirely sure where he plays right now. Second base is potentially an option next year, but I like to think that General Manager AJ Preller won’t rely on Miller being the savior for the position.

If anything and with a promising 2020, Miller could be fantastic trade bait to acquire other assets.