Beau Mills Stats & Scouting Report

AB	2391
AVG	.267
OBP	.331
SLG	.449
HR	88

Full name Beau Bradley Mills
Born 08/15/1986 in Visalia, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Lewis-Clark State
Drafted in the 1st round (13th overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2007 (signed for $1,575,000).

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Scouts are trained to focus on the process--the how--rather than the results. In Mills' case, though, the results must be mentioned. After two years at Fresno State when he hit 36 home runs, Mills transferred to NAIA Lewis-Clark State. Fresno State suspended him due to academic shortcomings in 2006, and Mills decided to join LCSC after playing for coach Ed Cheff in the summer in the Alaska League. He led the league in home runs (seven) and RBIs (33). The son of ex-big leaguer Brad Mills--now the Red Sox' bench coach--has proceeded to dominate inferior competition. He hit his school-record 31st home run in LCSC's 54th game, and his on-base plus slugging percentage was approaching 1.600. Mills generates well-above-average power thanks to a leveraged, balanced swing and excellent strength; the ball jumps off his bat to all fields. Defense is another matter. A shoulder injury limited him to DH last summer, and Mills' arm is still a bit tight (leading to more DH appearances) and grades as below-average. He works hard at his defense, and his hands and footwork could make him a fringe-average third baseman eventually, though most scouts believe he'll be below-average. His bat should play at first base, but it would play even better at third. In a year with few impact college bats, Mills stands out and figures to go high, no matter which infield corner he plays.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The son of new Astros manager Brad Mills, Beau went 13th overall in the 2007 draft after setting an NAIA record with 38 homers and leading Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) to a national title. Signed for $1.575 million, he won the Carolina League MVP award in his first full pro season, then struggled to get on base and tap into his raw power in 2009. Despite Mills' difficulties in Double-A, he still shows the aptitude for hitting and strength for power. He exhibits good baseball instincts and solid plate discipline, but he also has a tendency to chase with two strikes and needs to learn which pitches he can drive. Mills began pressing and became more pull-oriented later in the 2009 season, though toward the end of the year his numbers began to pick up as he started to use the whole field. With the leg lift he employs in his swing, he has trouble staying back at times, which gets him caught out on his front foot and takes away from his power. He has worked hard to decrease his leg kick, and when he stays back he's able to leverage the baseball for power to all fields. Considered a defensive liability coming into the season, Mills did make strides at first base, where he showed solid hands and improved footwork. A third baseman in his pro debut, he has some arm strength but his range always will be limited and some scouts see him as a bit stiff. He's a below-average runner. The Indians are deep with first base/left field types, so Mills will have to rebound in 2010.
After being suspended at Fresno State for academic shortcomings after his sophmore year, Mills transferred to Lewis-Clark State (Idaho). He led the Warriors to their 15th national championship in 2007, hitting an NAIA-record 38 homers, and signed for $1.575 million as the 13th overall pick in the draft. The son of former big leaguer and Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills, he led the system with 21 homers in his first full pro season. Mills generates plus power to all fields with good leverage and strength. He stays balanced at the plate, has a pure swing and possesses the patience to draw walks. His arm strength improved after the Indians put him on an extensive throwing program following a shoulder impingement in 2006 that didn't require surgery. While Mills does have a good feel for hitting and for the strike zone, he's susceptible to chasing both breaking balls in the dirt and high fastballs. He needs to adjust his two-strike approach. He moved from third base to first base in 2008, but his footwork isn't clean and his actions around the bag aren't the smoothest. Mills is a below-average runner. Mills will start 2009 in Double-A. He could compete for a big league job in 2010, though the system is heavy with sluggers who profile best at first base.
After hitting 36 homers in two years at Fresno State, Mills got suspended for academic shortcomings and code-of-conduct violations in 2006. He decided to transfer to NAIA power Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) after playing for Warriors coach Ed Cheff in the Alaska League, which Mills led with seven homers and 33 RBIs. Mills led Lewis- Clark State to its 15th national title, hitting an NAIA-record 38 homers and driving in 123 runs. The son of former big leaguer and current Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills, Beau went 13th overall in the draft and signed for $1.575 million. With a leveraged, balanced swing and excellent strength, Mills generates well above-average power to all fields. He has the bat speed and pitch recognition to hit for average as well. His hands and his footwork are his best defensive tools, and he has enough athleticism and work ethic to have a chance to become an adequate third baseman. Many scouts who have evaluated Mills give him no chance to stick at the hot corner, and he spent his debut alternating between there and first base. A shoulder impingment in 2006 didn't require surgery but has limited his arm strength, and the Indians have put him on an extensive throwing program. He's going to strike out, but his offensive production will be well worth it. His speed is fringy at best. His arm strength improved during instructional league, so the Tribe will leave Mills at third base when he returns to high Class A Kinston. But first base or possibly left field appears to be his ultimate destination.

Minor League Top Prospects

Mills batted just .222 in April, but he rebounded after adjusting his hands and simplifying his swing. He tied for the CL lead in homers (21) and ranked second in RBIs (90) while being named the circuit's MVP. He has above-average power to all fields and generally stays on top of offspeed pitches, and he showed better strike-zone discipline than he did in his pro debut in 2007. Mills' career as a third baseman came to an end in April because he lacked the range for the position. Now firmly cemented at first base, he has the potential to become at least an average defender and the bat to profile there. He's a below-average runner though his arm strength has improved.