The Philadelphia Phillies’ top pitching prospect Andrew Painter will be participating in the Arizona Fall League, according to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. Painter is currently working his way back from Tommy John surgery. This will be the first time he has participated in a proper game setting since the injury. According to Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the plan is for Painter to initially have two-inning appearances and expand his workload from there. Coffey noted that Painter has reached 95pmh to 99mph velocity with his fastball during live batting practice sessions. He has done a few of these sessions at the Phillies spring training complex in Clearwater during recent weeks. The most recent of these was on September 17.
The Philadelphia Phillies are sending Andrew Painter to the Arizona Fall League. pic.twitter.com/0OmMtoqi6U
— Milb Central (@milb_central) October 7, 2024
In 26 minor league starts between 2021 and 2022, Painter has a 6-2 record with a 1.48 ERA and 167 strikeouts, along with a 0.875 WHIP and a .181 batting average against in 109 2/3 innings pitched. It is worth noting Painter has five Double-A starts and no Triple-A starts. 17 of his 26 minor league starts have come at Low-A or High-A. Painter did participate in Phillies spring training in 2023 and was a candidate to be in the rotation before getting injured. In one outing during 2023 spring training, he had a 4.50 ERA as well as a 2.81 FIP with a 1.500 WHIP in two innings pitched. Painter will be 21 on Opening Day next season, and he will be Rule 5 Draft eligible after the 2025 season.
Phillies Top Pitching Prospect Andrew Painter Playing In Arizona Fall League
2025 Implications
If all goes well, Painter will be a candidate to be the Phillies’ fifth starter in their 2025 rotation unless something changes. Taijuan Walker will likely be given a chance to reclaim his spot in the rotation. However, this assumes the Phillies do not trade or release Walker during the offseason. Kolby Allard might be a candidate as well. Spencer Turnbull is a free agent after the 2024 season. It would not be surprising to see the Phillies add pitching depth with minor league options during the offseason. This is especially the case if Turnbull leaves in free agency. How Painter does in the Arizona Fall League will influence his standing heading into 2025. The Phillies will need to clear a 40-man roster spot for Painter at some point this offseason or during the 2025 season.
Trade Rumors
According to ESPN reporters Buster Olney and Jesse Rogers, the Chicago White Sox asked the Phillies for Painter during their Garrett Crochet trade talks at the deadline. The Phillies refused to include Painter in a potential deal. On September 29, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the Phillies still have interest in Crochet. If they trade for Crochet, it reduces the chance that Painter will be in the Phillies’ Opening Day rotation next season. Crochet might be traded by the White Sox this offseason, but in all likelihood, he will not end up on the Phillies. Keeping Painter and not trading for Crochet is probably the best route forward for the Phillies. The young prospect still has a chance to be a frontline starter for the Phillies well into the future.
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