Blue Jays 2021 MLB Draft Canadian Prospect Watch: Owen Millar

It would not be safe to speak on the draft and not think about pitching when we speak on the Toronto Blue Jays. Our Canadian content in this year’s draft consists of quality arms that would mesh perfectly in the Blue Jays farm systems. Who could be the future John Axford or Jordan Romano? We’ll be featuring right-hander, Owen Millar.

Owen Millar, RHP out of Burlington, Ontario, Canada is an original 2021 high school graduate, however, he has decided to re-classify to the class of 2022 and is currently uncommitted to a school. This does not affect his draft status; he’s set to seek the opportunity if it presents itself.

Background

Millar currently attends Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School in Ontario and is a go-to arm for the Fieldhouse Pirates travel baseball program, competing out of the notorious Canadian Premier Baseball League (know as the CPBL).

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He started off with the Ontario Royals program before making the switch to Fieldhouse. Speaking with Owen personally, “When I made the jump to Fieldhouse, I went to work with Mariotti”, Millar stated. He’s referring to John Mariotti, former professional pitcher, drafted by the Anaheim Angels in 2004, and by the Baltimore Orioles in 2007, where he signed. Mariotti is the pitching coordinator for the Fieldhouse Pirates.

Millar was development-focused. With the science of the game advancing, from a pitcher perspective, he wanted to modernize and elevate his performance by implementing an effective program.

“I was 83-85mph before the move to Fieldhouse. I worked with Mariotti to increase velocity, starting with a movement-based assessment and then generating a program that combined lifting, throwing – strength and mobility based”, Owen explained. Millar polished up mechanically and gained strength with a dependable repertoire.

https://twitter.com/OwenMillar_24/status/1402415543450324995?s=20

Owen currently lives In Michigan, playing for the NEB National team. He played in the Prospect Development Pipeline, affiliated with Major League Baseball and Baseball USA. He will return to Ontario this summer to re-join the Fieldhouse Pirates and prepare for Canadian Junior National Team camp in August, with a chance to represent his Nation.

SCOUTING AND EVALUATION REPORT

Grade Scale

Fastball: 65 Changeup: 55 Slider: 50 Arm: 60 Command: 55

Synopsis

Millar, a right-handed pitcher, 6’3” 220lbs is a mix between an orchestra and a weight room. Why? Because he’s strong and his mechanics are very fluent and sound. He’s athletically built, a very strong kid with agility and mobility very evident. His lower half is the freight train that drives towards his catcher, after a knee-kick windup and consistent repeated delivery.

Owen lives in and around the zone. He can work the corners well and synchronizes well with his catcher. If he misses the zone, he doesn’t miss by much, and sending hitters fishing isn’t far from shore, making guys really think about it. Millar throws a fastball at 89-92 consistent, with a top out at 94mph, 2400+ rpm. His changeup ranges between 82-85mph, 1650 rpm, works knees below with downward action. He throws a go-to slider, his out pitch at 80-81; this is his biggest weapon. With a biting fastball, he’s known not to show the off-speed too early in games, making it more effective when introduced.

“I feel pretty confident in all my pitches now, I’m able to throw my off-speed without hesitation. My off-speed wasn’t that good. We went through a 2-month phase where we shaped up spin and movement of my off-speed. Learned a lot about how to adjust”, Millar spoke on his off-speed.

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Millar is reclassified to 2022, however, he is still draft-eligible for 2021. Regardless, it will be fun to see him compete this year in the CPBL. Another great Canadian arm that the Blue Jays could entertain in the next year or so.

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