Miller's Back, Rincones' Knee, Lazar's Oblique: Phillies Farm Update

0:00It's March 31st. This is MLB News Today Baseball coverage powered by AI. Philly's fans, the buzz around top prospect, Aiden Miller ain't lifting off yet. This 21-year-old shortstop, rank number 23 in baseball by MLB Pipeline, has been out since spring training with lower back. Soreness. Manager Rob Thompson says he's only throwing and catching, no bat swings in sight. Progress feels like molasses. Miller crushed it late last season at Triple A, hitting 356 over his final 173 plate appearances with 16. Doubles and six homers, but back tweaked sideline him then too, even skipping the Arizona fall league. He's got time this year to ramp up, but without his own mini-spring, a debut feels distant. Philly's added depth by signing veteran shortstop Sergio Alcantara to Triple A Lehigh Valley. The setbacks things for a cornerstone guy who might slide to third base next year, eyeing free-age in Alec Boom's spot.

1:01Organizations filling the pinch on infield prospects, but their patient health first. Shifting gears, corner outfielder, Gabriel Rancones Jr.'s knee tendonitis is turning a corner. After a PR-P shot in December, the lefty power bats doing all drills except live games. No firm timeline, but he's close could force a big league look if outfield thins out. Super Max Lazar is nursing a left oblique strain from the World Baseball Classic, parked on the 15-day injured list. Hill toss a bullpen Tuesday in Clearwater. With 47 appearances over two years, mostly scoreless, expect Triple A duty soon, ready for a call-up when the pen wears down. These kids are grinding back. Keep watching the Phil's farm system heat up.