The Philadelphia Phillies plan for pitcher Andrew Painter for the rest of the 2026 season should focus on him developing in Triple-A. On June 17 the Phillies optioned Painter to Triple-A Lehigh Valley after a bad start to his rookie season in the majors. Painter has a 1-8 record with a 7.06 ERA and a 5.52 FIP in 14 major league outings, 12 of which were starts. To add to that Painter has a 1.66 WHIP and a 2.21 K/BB rate in the majors. Painter has the fourth worst ERA and WHIP among qualified rookie pitchers. In addition to that Painter has the third highest batting average against among qualified rookie pitchers this year.
Painter has an 0-2 record with a 5.60 ERA and a 3.49 FIP in four Triple-A starts since his demotion. Furthermore, Painter has a 1.64 WHIP and a 2.38 K/BB rate in the minor leagues this season. Opposing batters have a .296 average and a .392 BABIP against Painter in the minors this season compared to a .309 average against and a .341 BABIP against in the majors. Last season the Phillies had a workload plan for Painter in his first year back from Tommy John surgery. Painter pitched 118 innings in 2025 across two minor league levels.
Phillies Plan For Young Pitcher Will Play A Role In Future Decisions
Pitch Usage Between Levels This Season
Painter has made some adjustments to his pitch usage between the minor leagues and major leagues. In the majors Painter used his fastball 33.1% of the time with a 96.5 mph average velocity. Painter has used that pitch 53.6% of the time with a 97.1 mph average velocity. This season Painter added a splitter which he has thrown 14.4% of the time with an 87.4 mph average velocity in the majors and a 4.6% usage rate and an 89.5 mph average velocity in the minors. The average velocity of the curveball Painter uses is identical at both levels with a slight difference in usage and the sinker is a similar story while the slider is different.
Why Painter Should Not Be Included In Any Trade Deadline Deals
Matt Gelb of The Athletic wrote in a report that the Phillies could look to acquire a middle of the rotation starter as opposed to a fifth starter type of pitcher. Alan Rangel has helped to fill the rotation void since Painter got optioned and Brian Keller could be next in line to get a go as the Phillies fifth starter for the time being. The Phillies plan for Painter should not involve trading him. Painter is in his second season back from Tommy John surgery and should get time to develop at the major league level. The Phillies should not completely give up on Painter yet even though some fans are ready to.
What The Rest Of The Season Should Look Like
The Phillies plan for Painter for the rest of 2026 season should see Painter remain in Triple-A until at least September 1. An exception to this would be if the Phillies need to use Painter as an injury replacement. The Phillies do not have this luxury with Aaron Nola who has continued to regress this season. Painter and Nola underperforming are the two main reasons the Phillies are in the starting pitching trade market. If the Phillies feel Painter is ready to return to the majors on September 1 when rosters expand it would be fine to call him back up at that time. Painter needs more time in Triple-A to work on things right now.
Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
