Top prospect, Millas, savours pitching in big games
Langley Blaze RHP Theo Millas (Burnaby, BC) is the top ranked pitching prospect on the Canadian Baseball Network’s 2020 Draft List. Photo: Lukas Weese
March 12, 2020
By Lukas Weese
Canadian Baseball Network
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla -- It is hard not to notice Theo Millas the moment he walks onto the mound.
The Burnaby, B.C., native boasts a 6-foot-4, 200-pound stature at just 18 years old.
More impressive, however, is Millas’ calmness.
Whether it is a practice for the Canadian Junior National Team or playing against top prospects at the annual spring’s Jupiter Perfect Game Showcase, it is evident that Millas has an affinity for pitching in big games.
“I love seeing the players on the other rosters committed to the big schools,” said Millas. “I love matching up with them and showing my stuff. It’s a great confidence boost when you do well.”
When he left Little League in Grade 8, Millas knew baseball was for him. His father, Tellis, convinced Theo to play at Burnaby High School.
Since then, Millas has developed into the top pitching prospect on the Canadian Baseball Network’s 2020 Draft List. He is one of the top pitchers on the Langley Blaze’s rotation in the British Columbia Premier Baseball League (BCPBL) and recently committed to join the LSU Tigers.
“Theo’s good,” said Canadian National junior coach Greg Hamilton. “For him, it’s all about developing consistency. It’s not just about one great outing or one stellar showcase, it’s the ability to repeat that with relative consistency.”
One scout at the National Junior Team practice spoke highly of Millas’ “tremendous command of his fastball.” The Canadian has averaged in the low 90 mph range on his fastball and is on an upward trajectory.
But Millas is garnering attention from scouts because of his ability to throw three pitches. His enhanced arm speed translated into an improved curveball and changeup, according to Langley Blaze general manager Doug Mathieson.
“Theo is a smart kid,” said Mathieson. “He learned how to pitch through his exposure to pro teams and the Canadian national team. Once he throws more changeups and off-speed pitches, it will make his fastball look faster.”
Jaime Badaly, the head coach of the Blaze, was also complimentary when speaking of Millas. The culture of the Blaze is often described as the “New York Yankees” of British Columbia baseball. This is because the organization emphasizes developing its players through big-league experiences, such as playing against pro teams in the United States.
During Millas’ time with the Blaze, he faced off against top American prospects for various MLB clubs. At the Jupiter showcase, with 20 Division I programs and 500 scouts in attendance, Millas threw a no-hitter against the Atlanta Braves scout team.
The young prospect garnered a lot of attention from the showcase, not just for his command on the mound but for his intangibles.
Millas credits the Blaze for providing him the opportunity to know what is required to make it as a professional.
“I play baseball to win,” said Millas. “Winning is ten times better than losing. At Langley, there’s a lot of coaches so a better opportunity to work one-on-one to improve.”
On Thursday, Millas will be making his second start for the Canadian junior squad during spring training. He will be taking on the Toronto Blue Jays in the newly-renovated TD Ballpark in Dunedin.
Given his prior experiences on the big stage, it is a safe bet that Millas will compete at the highest level against Canada’s lone professional MLB franchise.