Profiling The Phillies’ Top Prospect

It’s no secret that Andrew Painter is one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball. The secret right now is when he will be healthy enough to return to playing. The Philadelphia Phillies‘ top prospect is currently sidelined with a right UCL sprain. He injured it in a game in Spring Training and has yet to throw a meaningful pitch since. Once he does return, however, it will only be a matter of time before he gets the call to the Majors.

Profiling The Phillies’ Top Prospect

Drafted Out of High School

The Phillies drafted Andrew Painter with the 13th pick of the 2021 MLB Draft. It is normally a much wiser decision to draft pitchers out of college as they have faced a higher level of competition. The Phillies were not worried. Drafted out of Calvary Christian High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the 6’7 right-hander has quickly risen up the prospect ranks.

After being drafted in 2021, he would finish the year in Rookie Ball. There, he made four starts, compiling a total of six innings. In those six innings, however, he struck out 12 batters and only allowed four hits. It was immediately clear that he was ready to start the 2022 season at a higher level.

Rising Up The Ranks

Andrew Painter started 2022 as a member of the Clearwater Threshers. In 38.2 innings and nine starts there, he compiled a 1.40 ERA with 69 strikeouts. He then got the call to join the High-A Jersey Shore Blue Claws.

He was only there for a total of 36.2 innings, across eight starts while striking out 49 batters and holding a 0.98 ERA. After the summer on the Jersey Shore, it was time to spend the early fall in Reading as a member of the Fightin’ Phils. Painter started five games to finish the season, going 28.1 innings while carrying a 2.54 ERA and 37 strikeouts. For those of you keeping track at home, that’s a season total of 22 starts, 103.2 innings, an ERA of 1.56, and 155 strikeouts.

What The Phillies Have To Look Forward To