Drew Millas

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #21 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 40/High
  
  Track Record: The Athletics drafted Millas in the seventh round of the 2019 draft, but a UCL injury in his throwing elbow and a blood-clotting issue, plus the coronavirus shutdown, delayed his pro debut to 2021. The Nationals acquired Millas that season in a deal that sent Yan Gomes and Josh Harrison to Oakland. He made a strong impression in the 2022 Arizona Fall League and then hit .291 in 83 games in the upper levels in 2023, earning a big league callup at the end of the year.
  
  Scouting Report: Millas’ offensive game took a step forward in 2023. He showed strong bat-to-ball skills, feel for the barrel and strike-zone awareness. Millas rarely missed on pitches in the strike zone, posting one of the better in-zone whiff rates of any Nationals minor leaguer in 2023. He also walked nearly as often as he struck out in the upper minors. His offense is limited by below-average power and he’s never hit more than seven homers in a season. He’s a good athlete--Millas clocked an 80th percentile sprint speed in his brief MLB debut--and threw out 28% of basestealers in the upper minors. Millas has average defensive skills but can make mistakes when he gets too overeager, and he also needs to work on his pitch framing.
  
  The Future: Millas profiles as a solid backup catcher option and could be in line for a big league role out of spring training, depending on the health of Riley Adams and Israel Pineda.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 30 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #25 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Millas was drafted in the seventh round in 2019 by the Athletics, but his professional career didn't start until two years later. After a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and a blood clotting issue, the catcher impressed at High-A Landing in 2021. The Nationals acquired Millas and two other prospects in July of that year in the deal that sent Yan Gomes and Josh Harrison to Oakland. Millas improved defensively in 2022 and advanced to Double-A Harrisburg, where he struggled offensively, but he played in the Arizona Fall League and slashed .305/.333/.492 in 15 games.
  
  Scouting Report: Millas is an athletic catcher with a plus arm and very quick hands. He's able to control the running game solidly--he threw out 26% of basestealers in 2022--but he's so excited to throw that he can sometimes make mistakes with his receiving. Millas could also stand to get lower in his stance and improve as a pitch framer--which is the biggest area where the Nationals want to see him improve behind the plate. Offensively, Millas showed solid plate discipline in the lower minors, but his strikeout rates and walk rates went in the wrong directions when he was challenged at Double-A, and he doesn't project for much power or impact.
  
  The Future: Defense is what will get Millas to the big leagues. He has a real chance to be a backup catcher, but needs to work on being less aggressive at the plate. He'll need more reps against upper level arms, but his glove could give him a big league debut in the near future.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 30. Speed: 30. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60.
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #29 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Millas’ professional career was delayed two seasons, first by a UCL injury and a blood clotting issue after he was drafted in 2019 and later by the pandemic. He finally took the field and was productive at High-A in 2021. He came to Washington in the trade that sent Yan Gomes and Josh Harrison to Oakland in July.
  
  Scouting Report: Defense is Millas’ calling card. An excellent athlete behind the plate, he receives the ball well, is nimble in getting down to block the ball, has an easy plus arm and plays the position with energy. He’s athletic and toolsy enough, in fact, that some evaluators see him as a possible fit as a utility player who could also play second and third base. He was productive offensively in 2021, and he has good bat-to-ball skills and excellent plate discipline, but his bat is light in general. He posts below-average exit velocities, and when batting from the left side, he has noticeable length in his load.
  
  The Future: As an athletic, defense-minded catcher who also takes good at-bats, Millas has a fairly high floor that should help him progress through the system fairly quickly. How well he develops into someone who can impact the baseball would seem to hold the key to unlocking a higher ceiling.
  
• 
  Ranked Oakland Athletics #25 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Millas was considered one of the top defensive college catchers in the 2019 draft class, but puzzling offensive struggles hindered his stock and dropped him to the seventh round. A subsequent injury to the UCL in his throwing arm combined with a blood clotting issue in his right armpit postponed his professional debut. Millas arrived at instructional league in 2020 fully healthy and immediately impressed the A's.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Millas was a three-sport star in high school, also playing quarterback and point guard, and it shows behind the plate. He's an agile defender, a solid receiver and displays prototypical leadership skills, making him a favorite for pitchers to throw to. His arm is above-average even despite the injury. The switch-hitting Millas is a better hitter from the left side, where he projects as an average hitter with solid bat speed, although there were swing-and-miss concerns in college. His power is below-average and limits the offensive impact he projects to make.
  
  THE FUTURE: Millas' glove will help him move through Oakland's system. How far his bat comes along will ultimately determine how far he rises.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #167 prospect in 2019 draft
  In a good year for college catchers, Millas is one of the best defenders in the class. Millas is athletic with quiet, soft hands that should help him frame pitches well. Scouts are confident that he's a plus defender. He has an accurate arm with average arm strength, although he did throw out only 19 percent of basestealers in 2019. Millas has never hit as well as scouts have expected him to hit. He hit .267/.369/.403 as a junior, but has solid bat speed, loose hands and an especially fluid swing when he's hitting lefthanded. His lefthanded swing has more loft and power potential, while his righthanded swing is a bit more compact. He stays balanced in the batter's box, and while he can work counts, he swings and misses a lot and his power potential isn't as impressive as his hitting ability. Millas' defense will get him drafted. His ability to figure out his puzzling offensive struggles will determine how far he goes in pro ball.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Millas was drafted in the seventh round in 2019 by the Athletics, but his professional career didn't start until two years later. After a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and a blood clotting issue, the catcher impressed at High-A Landing in 2021. The Nationals acquired Millas and two other prospects in July of that year in the deal that sent Yan Gomes and Josh Harrison to Oakland. Millas improved defensively in 2022 and advanced to Double-A Harrisburg, where he struggled offensively, but he played in the Arizona Fall League and slashed .305/.333/.492 in 15 games.
  
  Scouting Report: Millas is an athletic catcher with a plus arm and very quick hands. He's able to control the running game solidly--he threw out 26% of basestealers in 2022--but he's so excited to throw that he can sometimes make mistakes with his receiving. Millas could also stand to get lower in his stance and improve as a pitch framer--which is the biggest area where the Nationals want to see him improve behind the plate. Offensively, Millas showed solid plate discipline in the lower minors, but his strikeout rates and walk rates went in the wrong directions when he was challenged at Double-A, and he doesn't project for much power or impact.
  
  The Future: Defense is what will get Millas to the big leagues. He has a real chance to be a backup catcher, but needs to work on being less aggressive at the plate. He'll need more reps against upper level arms, but his glove could give him a big league debut in the near future.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 30. Speed: 30. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Millas was drafted in the seventh round in 2019 by the Athletics, but his professional career didn't start until two years later. After a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and a blood clotting issue, the catcher impressed at High-A Landing in 2021. The Nationals acquired Millas and two other prospects in July of that year in the deal that sent Yan Gomes and Josh Harrison to Oakland. Millas improved defensively in 2022 and advanced to Double-A Harrisburg, where he struggled offensively, but he played in the Arizona Fall League and slashed .305/.333/.492 in 15 games.
  
  Scouting Report: Millas is an athletic catcher with a plus arm and very quick hands. He's able to control the running game solidly--he threw out 26% of basestealers in 2022--but he's so excited to throw that he can sometimes make mistakes with his receiving. Millas could also stand to get lower in his stance and improve as a pitch framer--which is the biggest area where the Nationals want to see him improve behind the plate. Offensively, Millas showed solid plate discipline in the lower minors, but his strikeout rates and walk rates went in the wrong directions when he was challenged at Double-A, and he doesn't project for much power or impact.
  
  The Future: Defense is what will get Millas to the big leagues. He has a real chance to be a backup catcher, but needs to work on being less aggressive at the plate. He'll need more reps against upper level arms, but his glove could give him a big league debut in the near future.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 30. Speed: 30. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Millas&#39 professional career was delayed two seasons, first by a UCL injury and a blood clotting issue after he was drafted in 2019 and later by the pandemic. He finally took the field and was productive at High-A in 2021. He came to Washington in the trade that sent Yan Gomes and Josh Harrison to Oakland in July.
  
  Scouting Report: Defense is Millas&#39 calling card. An excellent athlete behind the plate, he receives the ball well, is nimble in getting down to block the ball, has an easy plus arm and plays the position with energy. He&#39s athletic and toolsy enough, in fact, that some evaluators see him as a possible fit as a utility player who could also play second and third base. He was productive offensively in 2021, and he has good bat-to-ball skills and excellent plate discipline, but his bat is light in general. He posts below-average exit velocities, and when batting from the left side, he has noticeable length in his load.
  
  The Future: As an athletic, defense-minded catcher who also takes good at-bats, Millas has a fairly high floor that should help him progress through the system fairly quickly. How well he develops into someone who can impact the baseball would seem to hold the key to unlocking a higher ceiling.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Millas’ professional career was delayed two seasons, first by a UCL injury and a blood clotting issue after he was drafted in 2019 and later by the pandemic. He finally took the field and was productive at High-A in 2021. He came to Washington in the trade that sent Yan Gomes and Josh Harrison to Oakland in July.
  
  Scouting Report: Defense is Millas’ calling card. An excellent athlete behind the plate, he receives the ball well, is nimble in getting down to block the ball, has an easy plus arm and plays the position with energy. He’s athletic and toolsy enough, in fact, that some evaluators see him as a possible fit as a utility player who could also play second and third base. He was productive offensively in 2021, and he has good bat-to-ball skills and excellent plate discipline, but his bat is light in general. He posts below-average exit velocities, and when batting from the left side, he has noticeable length in his load.
  
  The Future: As an athletic, defense-minded catcher who also takes good at-bats, Millas has a fairly high floor that should help him progress through the system fairly quickly. How well he develops into someone who can impact the baseball would seem to hold the key to unlocking a higher ceiling.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Millas has long been touted for his catch-and-throw defensive ability dating back to before Oakland drafted him in the seventh round of the 2019 draft out of Missouri State. But a right elbow injury and blood clot issues delayed his debut, and the A's got their first extended look at Millas last fall in instructional league. The defensive tools remained evident: Millas has an above-average arm even after the elbow injury and is an agile defender, giving him the floor of a big league backup. Millas is a switch-hitter, although he looks more comfortable from the left side, and he has a very mature approach and average hitting ability. Millas' below-average in-game power is limiting, and he'll have to prove he can withstand the rigors of catching a full season, but he has second-division regular potential.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Millas was considered one of the top defensive college catchers in the 2019 draft class, but puzzling offensive struggles hindered his stock and dropped him to the seventh round. A subsequent injury to the UCL in his throwing arm combined with a blood clotting issue in his right armpit postponed his professional debut. Millas arrived at instructional league in 2020 fully healthy and immediately impressed the A's.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Millas was a three-sport star in high school, also playing quarterback and point guard, and it shows behind the plate. He's an agile defender, a solid receiver and displays prototypical leadership skills, making him a favorite for pitchers to throw to. His arm is above-average even despite the injury. The switch-hitting Millas is a better hitter from the left side, where he projects as an average hitter with solid bat speed, although there were swing-and-miss concerns in college. His power is below-average and limits the offensive impact he projects to make.
  
  THE FUTURE: Millas' glove will help him move through Oakland's system. How far his bat comes along will ultimately determine how far he rises.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Millas was considered one of the top defensive college catchers in the 2019 draft class, but puzzling offensive struggles hindered his stock and dropped him to the seventh round. A subsequent injury to the UCL in his throwing arm combined with a blood clotting issue in his right armpit postponed his professional debut. Millas arrived at instructional league in 2020 fully healthy and immediately impressed the A's.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Millas was a three-sport star in high school, also playing quarterback and point guard, and it shows behind the plate. He's an agile defender, a solid receiver and displays prototypical leadership skills, making him a favorite for pitchers to throw to. His arm is above-average even despite the injury. The switch-hitting Millas is a better hitter from the left side, where he projects as an average hitter with solid bat speed, although there were swing-and-miss concerns in college. His power is below-average and limits the offensive impact he projects to make.
  
  THE FUTURE: Millas' glove will help him move through Oakland's system. How far his bat comes along will ultimately determine how far he rises.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  In a good year for college catchers, Millas is one of the best defenders in the class. Millas is athletic with quiet, soft hands that should help him frame pitches well. Scouts are confident that he's a plus defender. He has an accurate arm with average arm strength, although he did throw out only 19 percent of basestealers in 2019. Millas has never hit as well as scouts have expected him to hit. He hit .267/.369/.403 as a junior, but has solid bat speed, loose hands and an especially fluid swing when he's hitting lefthanded. His lefthanded swing has more loft and power potential, while his righthanded swing is a bit more compact. He stays balanced in the batter's box, and while he can work counts, he swings and misses a lot and his power potential isn't as impressive as his hitting ability. Millas' defense will get him drafted. His ability to figure out his puzzling offensive struggles will determine how far he goes in pro ball.