After summer on sidelines, Belleville native to resume professional baseball journey
Drew Millas was on top of the world last June.
After a splendid collegiate career at Missouri State University, the 22-year-old Millas, a catcher, was taken in the seventh round of Major League Baseball’s Amateur Draft by the Oakland Athletics.
For Millas, a 2016 graduate of Belleville East, his lifelong dream of playing professional baseball was coming true. And his ultimate goal of being a major league player was one step closer to becoming a reality.
One week after signing his first professional contract June 16, Millas was assigned to the Arizona League Athletics Green Team where he began working out with other Oakland rookies wanting to make an early impression on the highers-up in the organization.
But Millas may have tested his strong right arm too much, too early and suffered a sprained ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). Unfortunately, it it turned out to be much worse — Millas had a blood clot in his right arm pit.
“Some us were trying, I think, to maybe show off our arms to some people higher up in the organization. I don’t think I was properly warmed up. I think that was the culprit for the initial injury,” Millas said. “The blood clot, I think was just one of those freak things that was partially genetic and partially a lot of things.”
The blood clot, discovered by the Athletics team doctors following an MRI, landed Millas on the 60-day disabled list and ended his first season.
Now, three procedures later, having the clot removed and after four months of not being able to throw a baseball, Millas was given the all-clear to begin training in November. He has spent the past several months getting ready for the 2020 season, which has been delayed at the start by COVID-19.
Back home in Swansea
A three-sport standout who was the quarterback on the football team and a starting guard on the Lancers basketball team, the 6-2, 205-pound Millas was rated the No. 4 catcher and 29th best player in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report.
The son of Andrew and Nel Millas went on to become one of the top collegiate catchers in the nation at Missouri State. His best campaign came in 2018 when he batted .321 with seven home runs and a team-leading 61 RBI during the 2018 season when he earned second-team All-America recognition from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
But with the sports world at a standstill — as well as the rest of the nation — waging its battle against COVID-19, Millas is back home in Swansea, hoping this won’t be the second summer in a row where he won’t play baseball.
“We haven’t really heard much about going back yet. We have heard some good things. There has been a lot talk that we will have a season,” Millas said. “The minor leaguers, obviously, we come in second to the big league guys. Before the big league players even remotely get things hashed out, we have to sit and wait and so we’re going to have longer to wait.”
Although nothing has been made official, there has been talk about MLB perhaps starting its season around July 4.
“It’s not really frustrating. I understand,” Millas said. “The big league guys are obviously the ones who are making the money for these teams and these businesses. And baseball is a business. You have to try and understand that these owners are trying to work things out and they have to start with their big league guys.”
Staying in shape
Cleared to begin throwing in November, Millas has been able to stay in baseball shape. His dad owns two batting cages which are set up at Kings Point in Belleville. Millas also uses different weight lifting facilities o stay strong and conditioned.
“I actually have a good set up here. My father owns batting cages and with me being family, I am able to go in and hit,” Millas said. “Obviously we have to stay sanitized and stay in touch with the owner about our health. But there is a weight room where I can work out and use the cages so I can get my work in. The owner at Kings Point is great about letting us do that.
“They realize that I’m a minor league ball player and, even though the place is shutdown, it’s like home there since my dad is an owner. It’s been great to help me get ready for the season.”
‘I miss baseball ... very much’
Following the removal of the blood clot, Millas remained in Arizona where he went for rehab and treatments. He also served as his team’s bullpen catcher.
“I couldn’t really do much. I was the bullpen catcher, but because I wasn’t able to throw the ball back, I had to have someone do that for me,” Millas said. “Because I was going through rehab I wasn’t even at all the games. Later on I pushed to come back, but the team doctors wouldn’t even think about it. They said they were not going to take any chances.”
As for now, Millas is getting ready for the season. He hopes to continue to climb in the Athletics Farm System.
“I think, just because I didn’t play last season and they have nothing to really go by, that this (rookie) league is where I will start when the season starts. They are going start slow with me and that’s fine with me. Wherever that is, the organization knows they will get 100 percent from me each time I’m on the field,” Millas said.
“As for now, I’ve never had free time at this time of year so it’s been different. I’ve done a great job of staying in shape and I’ve stayed in touch with my hitting coach who has helped me stay mentally prepared as well. But everything is looking good. I’ve been on blood thinners and I’m just thankful that I’ve been healthy these last few months.. Everything is just going really well.”
This story was originally published May 26, 2020 at 9:24 AM.
