Recent WKU baseball alumni Anderson Miller and Phillip Diedrick spent their summers sharpening their game in the minor league systems of their respective MLB teams after being selected in the 2015 MLB draft.

The Kansas City Royals selected Miller with the 23rd pick in the third round, adding to their system a multi-faceted collegiate player.  Miller, a southpaw, played as both outfielder and pitcher during his time on the Hill.

The Washington Nationals picked Diedrick with the 29th pick of the 29th round.  

He played outfield for the Hilltoppers but made a name for himself at the plate.

During their time at WKU, both proved to be valuable assets to the team.

Miller posted a batting average of .295 while adding 12 home runs, 35 RBIs and 47 runs.

Diedrick posted a batting average of .291 while adding eight home runs, 22 RBIs and 52 hits.

So far, Miller has played in 54 games for three different teams and is moving up fast in the Royals’ farm system.

He is now playing for his hometown Lexington Legends after playing 10 games with Rookie League Burlington. At Burlington, he batted .342 and recorded 13 hits, two home runs and seven RBIs.

“That was big, to come out and set off to a good start,” Miller told the Bowling Green Daily News over the summer. “I got my feet in under me, and with the chance to be the first position player the Royals drafted, there are some expectations that come with that.”

After 54 games, Miller’s batting average currently stands at .276.  He also recorded four home runs, 29 RBIs and 58 runs scored in his minor league career.

Diedrick currently plays for the Gulf Coast League Nationals in the GCL. 

While his batting average of .146 may not match his stat lines from WKU, he continues to show impressive power with a bat in his hands. 

Despite his less-than-glamourous current hitting percentage, Diedrick did start his minor league career with a bang, and has recorded four home runs and 13 RBIs in just 30 games.

Diedrick also managed to make an immediate impact as a professional athlete, with four of his home runs coming in his first six games.