The Philadelphia Phillies had Andrew Painter at the top of their prospect list for the past two seasons. The talented right-handed pitcher is ranked eighth among all prospects despite missing all of the 2023 and 2024 seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Now, Painter is closer than ever to his MLB debut.
The #Phillies are also expecting to make a decision on the next steps for Andrew Painter tomorrow.
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) April 5, 2025
He threw BP yesterday and come out "very well" today.
Phillies News: Andrew Painter Is Closer Than Ever to MLB Debut
It was reported on Friday that Painter threw 33 pitches in two innings of live batting practice at Citizens Bank Park. Lochlahn March of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Phillies manager Rob Thomson was happy with what he saw, praising the 21-year-old's velocity and off-speed pitches.
After impressing the Phillies top brass, Painter will likely get a minor league assignment soon. Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports reported that the team was expected to make a decision on the next steps for the former first-round pick on Sunday.
The Phillies have been slow playing Painter's return. Many were expecting the top prospect to be an option in the big leagues toward the middle of the season. Once playing himself into form, Painter could be an option in the second half of the season depending on the Phillies' pitching help.
Painter previously showed what he was capable of during his stint with the Double-A Reading Fighting Phils in 2022; he went 2-1 with a 2.54 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings. He went a combined 6-2 with a 1.56 ERA and 155 strikeouts in 103 2/3 innings in his time with three minor league teams. The Phillies named him the Minor League Player of the Year in 2022.
Some were hoping that Painter would join the rotation in 2023, but his elbow injury threw a wrench in the team's plans. While it will be later than Philly fans were hoping for, Painter's much-anticipated debut is now finally in sight.