BA GRADE
50
Risk: High
Born: Dec. 1, 1998. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 195. Drafted: HS—Live Oak, Fla., 2017 (5th round). Signed by: R.J. Burress.
McMillan battled some very ill-timed tendinitis in his throwing shoulder during his senior season at Live Oak, Fla.’s Suwannee High. That led a number of teams to decide it would be better to let him head to Florida, but the Tigers stayed on him. They went far beyond slot value in the fifth round to sign him for $1 million.
McMillan responded by putting together one of the best seasons in the Gulf Coast League, although he fell a few plate appearances short of qualifying for league leaderboards. McMillan’s approach was more advanced than the pitchers he faced. He spit at sliders off the plate, laughed at buried curveballs and connected consistently when pitchers did throw in the zone. He was equally happy to slap the ball around the field as he was to take a walk. Scouts are confident in McMillan’s potentially plus hit tool, but they are much less confident in his ability to drive the ball. He needs to add strength as his power potential is well below-average. McMillan was considered more polished defensively than offensively in high school. He’s an advanced receiver for his age and although his arm was only average in his pro debut, it could play up in the future as he puts the tendinitis in the rear-view mirror.
The Tigers’ West Michigan manager in 2018 will be Lance Parrish, who would be a perfect mentor for the young catcher.
Year |
Club (League) |
Class |
AVG |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2017 |
Tigers West (GCL) |
R |
.288 |
37 |
111 |
24 |
32 |
Minor League Totals |
.288 |
37 |
111 |
24 |
32 |
||
Year |
Club (League) |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
2017 |
Tigers West (GCL) |
5 |
1 |
3 |
25 |
19 |
Minor League Totals |
5 |
1 |
3 |
25 |
19 |
|
Year |
Club (League) |
SO |
SB |
CS |
OBP |
SLG |
2017 |
Tigers West (GCL) |
17 |
1 |
1 |
.441 |
.432 |
Minor League Totals |
17 |
1 |
1 |
.441 |
.432 |
|