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Phillies Predicted to Call Up Future Ace

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Joel Reuter | Last updated May 6, 2025 12:15 PM ET

The Philadelphia Phillies are searching for stability from a bullpen that ranks 25th in the majors with a 4.71 ERA, especially in the form of a reliable right-handed setup option to fill the void created when Jeff Hoffman departed and Jordan Romano struggled.

Could the answer be top prospect Andrew Painter?

One of the most highly touted pitching prospects in the sport, Painter is easing back into action after missing the entire 2023 and 2024 seasons recovering from an elbow injury that eventually required Tommy John surgery.

Still only 22 years old, Painter still checks all the boxes to be the future ace of the Philadelphia staff, and his two-year layoff did not derail his development in the same way it would have a pitcher who was further behind the curve.

Through four starts at Single-A Clearwater, he has a 3.97 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and a 12-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 11.1 innings. He was pitching at the Double-A level before his injury, so starting in the lower levels of the minors is not an indication he is that far from MLB-ready.

Considering he will almost certainly be on a strict innings limit this year while he shakes off the cobwebs, the Phillies could curb his workload by temporarily shifting him into a relief role and calling him up to bolster the big league bullpen.

Plenty of pitchers have started their MLB run in the bullpen before shifting to the rotation, with Chris Sale and Corbin Burnes two standout examples that immediately come to mind, and it could be an in-house answer to the club's biggest problem.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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