The Philadelphia Phillies are off to a great start, posting a 7-2 record entering a mid-week series against the Atlanta Braves. The Phillies have fueled their play with a lineup that’s averaging five runs per game and overcoming what’s been a slow start by some of their pitchers.
In all, it’s been a good week to be a member of the Phillies. But there are signs that help is on the way. In the case of one prospect, the Phillies will be waiting on a highly anticipated season debut and there’s a chance it could be the start for a player that could play a big role as Philadelphia makes its way through the summer.
Phillies Prospect Andrew Painter to Make Season Debut on Friday
According to NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Corey Seidman, Phillies manager Rob Thomson announced that top prospect Andrew Painter will make his season debut when he begins his rehab assignment with Single-A Clearwater on Friday. Painter is scheduled to throw a couple of innings in his first start and will pitch once a week over the next couple of months with the plan of bringing him to the majors by June, July or August.
“We’re gonna be conservative and make sure we take care of him,” Thomson said. “The biggest thing is he gets through it, throws strikes and the stuff is there. That’s what I’m looking for.”
Painter, who will turn 22 this week, underwent Tommy John surgery in July 2023 but the Phillies have been careful with his rehab process. The left-hander is MLB Pipeline’s eight-ranked prospect on their annual preseason list and has already drawn the endorsement of another popular southpaw in Phillies history, Cole Hamels.
While he didn’t pitch in the minors last season, he was able to pitch in the Arizona Fall League, posting a 2.30 ERA, 18 strikeouts and four walks over 15.2 innings. He has also added to his repertoire during his time off with a fastball that flirts with triple-digits and a harder slider that has many excited about his future.
“I’m very excited. I think he’s one of the best young pitchers in baseball,” Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said in February. “I think he’s going to be a tremendous major-league pitcher. …He has the potential to be a No. 1, top-of-the-rotation type of starter. Maybe he wouldn’t be ours right off the bat – we’ve got some pretty good ones – but he has that type of potential for the long-term.”
Making room for Painter could be a challenge, but that will be a good problem to have if it comes up this summer. For now, Painter is taking the first step towards the majors and if all goes well, there’s a great chance he’ll be in the Phillies’ rotation by the end of the season.