Tuesday, October 13

Everybody is waiting for Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski to discuss the team’s disappointing year and what the future holds for the franchise, following its season-ending loss to Atlanta in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series on Oct. 1.

That was 12 days ago.

It’s the longest Dombrowski has gone without an end-of-season press conference since he arrived in December 2020. He addressed reporters seven days after the 2025 NL Division Series, six days after the 2024 NLDS, two days after the 2023 NL Championship Series, 11 days after the 2022 World Series and three days after the Phillies missed the postseason in 2021.

The only other time since 2008 that the Phillies went at least 11 days without an end-of-season press conference was 2019, when the team announced Gabe Kapler would not return as manager. It took 12 days because Phillies owner John Middleton had crisscrossed the country to solicit opinions from veteran players before making the decision to dismiss Kapler.

These Phillies have not announced if Don Mattingly will return as manager in 2027, although it still feels like the most likely outcome.

While we wait, here are three prospects who could help the Phillies next season.

INF Aidan Miller (Phillies' No. 2 prospect, No. 59 overall in MLB)

Back in February, folks thought Miller could push for a big league promotion by late spring/early summer, if he progressed as expected at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. It’s why the Phillies placed Miller’s locker in Clearwater, Fla., next to veterans Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto.

They wanted Miller to be as comfortable as possible as quickly as possible.

A recurring back injury, however, resurfaced in February and postponed Miller’s big-league dreams for at least a year.

Miller had discogenic pain and facet inflammation in the lumbar spine, according to the Phillies. He had a procedure in June called radiofrequency ablation of the facet joints. It helped his recovery. Last month, Miller played one game for Single-A Clearwater and three for Double-A Reading before playing four games so far for Surprise in the Arizona Fall League.

“I feel great now,” Miller said recently. “I didn't know if I'd be playing this year, and to be where I'm at right now feeling 100%, kind of feel like myself again, it's really nice.”

Miller missed an entire year of development time, but if the back issue is behind him -- he is looking like his old self in the AFL -- perhaps he can pick up where he left off and push for a promotion by late spring/early summer again. Dombrowski has never been afraid to push young players.

The Phillies might need the help anyway. They could have two holes to fill in the infield with third baseman Alec Bohm and second baseman Luis Arraez entering free agency. Utility player Edmundo Sosa is a free agent, too. Shortstop Trea Turner could be asked to move to the outfield, although it is unclear if those conversations will take place.

Miller is playing third base this fall, which is an AFL roster/playing time consideration more than it is a signal of the Phillies' future plans for him. He could play third and short next year as he pushes for a promotion.

“I haven't played many games over there in pro ball, so learning a new position and ultimately just getting at-bats and getting the feel again,” Miller said. “I have a good maintenance program, we have a good staff, so I feel really good."

Gage Wood, RHP (Phillies' No. 1 prospect, No. 30 overall in MLB)

Wood went a combined 1-5 with a 4.36 ERA in 25 starts between Clearwater and Reading. He threw exactly 100 innings: 95 regular-season innings, four postseason innings and one inning in the All-Star Futures Game in July at Citizens Bank Park.

The Phillies lacked starting pitching depth this year, so they could use a high-upside option like Wood, if there is a need. At the very least, if Wood continues to throw strikes in Triple-A -- he struck out 99 and walked 18 in 68 2/3 innings in Double-A -- he could help the bullpen next fall. 

Bryan Rincon, SS (Phillies' No. 4 prospect, No. 96 overall in MLB)

Rincon recently moved into MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects list following a breakout year that has Phillies officials excited.

Rincon batted .267 with 26 home runs, 67 RBIs and an organization-leading .927 OPS in 534 plate appearances with Reading, which is a dramatic improvement for somebody who once looked like a glove-only shortstop. Rincon cited tips in the spring from Phillies hitting coach Kevin Long for boosting his performance and confidence, but the Phillies have always liked his process at the plate.

Rincon, like Miller, won't join the Phillies next year and sit on the bench. His path to the big leagues is probably based on need (i.e. an injury or unexpected hole to fill). He is an excellent defender, so he could play anywhere in the infield, which helps his chances. And if he continues to hit, even better.

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