Belleville native didn’t collect baseball cards. Now the Oakland A’s prospect is on one
Selected in the seventh round of the 2019 Major League Amateur Draft, Belleville native Drew Millas has yet to play one inning as a member of the Oakland Athletics organization.
But in the last month alone, Millas, a 22-year-old catcher, has risen to the No. 30 prospect in the Oakland farm system and next week he will leave for Mesa, Arizona, as one of 18 players added to the fall roster who will work out with many of the current players on the Oakland taxi squad.
On Friday before several family members and friends at Collector’s Corner Sports Collectibles in Belleville, it was announced Millas’ first baseball card will be part of the Bowman Chrome 2020 Baseball Card set produced by Topps.
“Did I collect baseball cards when I was growing up? I guess I did a little bit. But I wasn’t adamant about it. I was more into pokemon when I was younger. Now I’m more of a baseball card guy,” Millas said. “Just because I know a lot of the people in them and I‘m familiar with a lot the leagues.
“It’s pretty cool to say you have your own card. It’s on the market already and is out for bids on eBay. Hopefully I can get my hands on one of them.”
Among the small group of friends and family on hand were Millas’ parents, Andrew and Nel Millas, and his grandparents. His grandfather Larry Patton was the longtime head baseball coach at Belleville East.
Nel Patton said she knew at a young age her son was a special athlete.
“This is just unbelievable to watch all this happening,” Nel Millas said with a smile. “I kind of had an idea Drew was pretty special just watching him in the backyard, watching him switch hit with a fungo bat. Also my dad would hit him pop-ups really high when he was a little kid and he would catch them.
“My dad would be like ‘OK, that’s really good.’”
Millas, a 2016 graduate of Belleville East, was joined by another former Lancers standout, Brady Schanuel, who is a highly rated pitcher in the Milwaukee Brewers organization. Millas and Schanuel spoke to the gathering then signed a few autographs.
As minor league players, both Millas and Schanuel had their 2020 seasons canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic. Millas also missed the 2019 season after being drafted by the Athletics after he suffered a sprained ulnar collateral ligament and a blood clot in his right arm pit.
One of the Oakland A’s top prospects
But known for his athleticism and tremendous work ethic, Millas is one of the top 30 prospects in the Oakland A’s organization. Ranked as the No. 2 defensive catcher in the 2019 draft, Millas can’t wait to show the A’s coaches what he can do beginning late next week.
“It’s been a journey so far. I will say that. Not being able to play for two years ... I’m excited to have the opportunity to go out and show them what I can do. I understand that we’ll get to play some scrimmage games as well so I’ll get to play and show my stuff in front of the big guys,” Millas said. “I think that whole group of players on the taxi squad is going to the instructional league of guys they’d like to see and get their hands on.
“They only allow a select few so it’s pretty big that I got invited.”
Millas’ future with the Athletics
A good showing in front of the Oakland coaches and management in the weeks to come would go a long way in helping Millas rise in the Athletics organization. He has no idea at what level he will compete at in the ‘21 season.
“I’m thinking maybe the (Class) high ‘A’ team in Stockton, California. But this being my third year, Class AA or Class AAA aren’t out of the question,” Millas said. “Like I said, I’m just anxious to go out and show what I can do. These (Oakland) guys know how hard I work and I’m going to keep working hard until I get there.
“My projected time (of reaching the big leagues) is 2022. But, hopefully earlier, right?”
This story was originally published September 21, 2020 at 11:00 AM.
