Phillies Basically Just Handed Aidan Miller the Starting 3B Job

The Philadelphia Phillies have a hole at third base with Alec Bohm hitting the open market, but they might already know what they are doing at the position.

Top prospect Aidan Miller was expected to compete for the starting job last year, but a back injury knocked him out of Spring Training and the vast majority of the season.

Miller is healthy now, though, and the Phillies are expecting a lot out of him.

When discussing third base at the GM meetings this week, team president Dave Dombrowski instantly pivoted to Miller as an option ... and made it abundantly clear that he wants the youngster to be starting at the hot corner in 2027.

“He’s not being anointed the position, but I also think he has a heck of a chance to make our club in the spring,” Dombrowski said. “I think that, as it stands, that would be very helpful for us to have that consideration. And frankly, I'm hoping he does. I'm not giving it to him, but I'm hoping that he does.”

Dombrowski can say he isn't handing Miller the job all he wants, but what we're hearing now about Miller is in line with what he heard about Justin Crawford last winter.

Crawford was a top prospect in Philadelphia's system, and the Phillies had a huge gap in center field. The Phillies have typically not been an organization that will hand starting jobs to rookies, but they broke protocol with Crawford.

They could very well do that again with Miller next spring, and Dombrowski is already talking like it's going to happen.

That would also mean Philadelphia wouldn't add any significant infielders via free agency or trade, and it also indicates it will not be re-signing Luis Arraez.

Bryson Stott would shift back over to second base after moving to the hot corner for Arraez after the MLB trade deadline, and we already know Bryce Harper will be heading back to first base after spending time in right field this past year.

Oh, and Alec Bohm — who played both corner infield spots in 2026 — is an obvious goner.

Rolling with Miller at third base would also allow the Phillies to save some money so they can more comfortably spend on their outfield and their bullpen. It also seems likely they will be adding another starting pitcher for some depth.

Of course, this could come back to bite Dombrowski. If Miller doesn't look ready in Spring Training, then Philadelphia will be in big trouble. But the Phils seem to be banking on the 22-year-old being prepared to assume the position.