{"id":115363,"date":"2026-03-09T20:44:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T00:44:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=115363"},"modified":"2026-03-09T20:44:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T00:44:12","slug":"realistic-expectations-phillies-andrew-painter-rookie-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/03\/09\/realistic-expectations-phillies-andrew-painter-rookie-season\/","title":{"rendered":"A Prized Painter: What to Expect from Phillies Rookie Starter"},"content":{"rendered":"

For many fans of the <\/span>Philadelphia Phillies<\/span>, this was not the most pleasant offseason. After three straight <\/span>sooner-than-expected<\/span> postseason exits, the fanbase was clamoring for some type of big shake-up. They re-signed franchise stalwarts <\/span>J.T. Realmuto<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Kyle Schwarber<\/span><\/a>, brought in <\/span>Adolis Garc\u00eda<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Brad Keller<\/span><\/a>, and jettisoned <\/span>Nick Castellanos<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Matt Strahm<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Phils did make a serious play for <\/span>Bo Bichette<\/span><\/a> before <\/span>he ended up signing with their rivals<\/a> in Queens<\/span>. Some supporters feel they didn\u2019t do enough to reinvigorate the nucleus and are content with the status quo. The core is aging and expensive, which will probably create complications down the line. However, <\/span>the team does have a bevy of prospects<\/a> that could become big league difference makers both now and in the future<\/span>. One of those prized prospects expected to help the Phillies is starting pitcher Andrew Painter<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Feb 11, 2026; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Andrew Painter (23) warms up during spring training at BareCare Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What to Realistically Expect from Phillies Prospect Andrew Painter in 2026<\/h2>\n

A Prized Painter<\/b><\/h3>\n

Painter’s name has been swirling as a top MLB prospect since being drafted <\/span>13th overall in 2021<\/span><\/a>. Tommy John surgery set back the clock a couple of years for this potential ace in waiting. Still, his stuff is undeniable, and the front office and fanbase expect a lot from Painter in 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

This tall righty may be the next coming of <\/span>Zack Wheeler<\/span><\/a> in the future, but let\u2019s set some realistic expectations for this rookie. In a sometimes impatient and occasionally less than understanding city, Phillies fans should be pleased if Andrew Painter can hit some of these achievable goals this season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Health\/Durability<\/b><\/h3>\n

Andrew Painter is now <\/span>almost three years removed from Tommy John surgery<\/a> in 2023<\/span>. He has never pitched more than 118 innings in a season and hasn\u2019t ever thrown a pitch in a major league game. There is no way he is going to have 35 starts and 200+ innings in 2026. For his long-term health, that wouldn\u2019t be prudent either. As a back-end of the rotation guy now and a Phillies\u2019 potential top-end stud later, Painter just needs to help stabilize the staff early in the season as Wheeler pushes to return from an injury.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Will Andrew Painter break camp as a part of the Phillies rotation?<\/p>\n

\u201cThe way the rotation is kind of set up right now, he would probably be their No. 5 starter\u201d – @SamDykstraMiLB<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/O07NB2uTRa<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 26, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n