Miller’s experience has helped Williamsport bats succeed
Trending
Throughout the season, one of the biggest pluses within the Williamsport Crosscutters in 2026 have been their experience.
Throughout the daunting first half, to the sharp reset in July, and even the budding NCAA eligibility rule changes swaying minds elsewhere in the league, Williamsport's ability to stay focused on the task at hand has been a catalyst in what has been potentially their most successful season in the Draft League era.
And while many catalysts can contribute to experience, Williamsport's pedigree would start with their coaching staff.
In addition to retaining Kenny Thomas for his third year in Williamsport, the Crosscutter coaching crew includes hitting coach Sean Miller, who returned to Williamsport as well for his third season at the Cutters and second as the hitting skipper.
"I told Kenny, if he comes back I'm coming back," chuckled Miller. "That is how it goes."
Miller's relationship with Thomas goes far beyond Williamsport. A native of Crofton, Maryland, Miller played for Thomas at USC Aiken from 2013-2015. After a standout career with the division two school that saw the middle infielder bat .327 with 109 runs batted in, Miller would be drafted in the 20th round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins.
What followed was a long, winding minor league career between the Twins and Baltimore Oriole Minor League systems that reached as high as the Triple A level in 2018.
Hanging out the glove for the coaches lineup, Miller would stick around the diamond, eventually making his professional coaching debut as part of Ryan Hanigan's Williamsport team in 2024 that captured the Draft League Championship.
Now in his third year in Williamsport, the experience has shown as far as Miller's approach is concerned as a coach.
"Doing it a few times before, I think, makes it easier," discussed Miller prior to the start of the 2026 season. "Getting to know the guys will help a lot, so hopefully we win some games."
When watching the Cutters work pregame, Miller can be seen talking one on one with players as the athletes get ready for a game.
"I'm trying to get to know these guys a bit more and see what their strengths and weaknesses are," echoed Miller on what he's been looking at as a coach in his third season with Williamsport. "It's only six weeks in the first half, so (I'll) try to help things through that. They aren't used to playing every day like this, so I'll help to guide them through that."
"I never like to give them too much information anyway," Miller added. "You can't revamp guys (in this league.) It kind of muddies the water for guys, but (you can) try to help them with some little quirks that can help them put up some numbers here. That is what the job is."
That calm approach to coaching can be reflected postgame. In a very emotional contest last month that saw Kenny Thomas ejected in a heartbreaking Cutters defeat, Miller's postgame interview, while critical of some game decisions and the contest itself, brought a level of zen that can keep the focus on the task at hand.
That type of coaching was produced in Williamsport this season. 2026 has been a year of hitting dominance for the Crosscutters. Heading into Sunday's series finale against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Williamsport have the number one offense in the Draft League with a team average of .287 that includes an .810 OPS, 381 runs batted in, 324 walks, and 194 stolen bases that all rank within the top two of the league this season.
Williamsport will look to make sure the hoot bats travel, with the Cutters starting an 11 game road trip in lieu of the MLB Little League Classic game taking place at Bowman Field next Sunday.