The Philadelphia Phillies already have one of the best starting rotations in Major League Baseball, but they also have a not-so-secret weapon up their sleeve.
Andrew Painter is not only the Phillies’ top prospect, but he could be the best right-handed pitching prospect in the sport. MLB Pipeline currently ranks him as their number-seven overall prospect.
The 22-year-old didn’t have the smoothest debut outing to the season in Low-A Clearwater, but after missing the past two seasons due to Tommy John surgery, it was a win just to get him on a mound. His stuff looked dominant, though, carrying over a trend from the Arizona Fall League.
Despite all the time off, Painter is almost certain to make his major league debut at some point this season. When will that happen, though? President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski sounded off on that topic on Saturday.
“As we’ve said all along, it’s July-ish,” Dombrowski said, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic. “He’ll be pitching innings at the minor-league level before that, but we’re also in a position where I hope we’re pitching well enough that it’s hard for him to get here.
“Now, does he force his way onto here? I cannot answer that question. Only time will tell. There’s nothing promised in that regard. No matter what, we still know we had to preserve the innings to some extent anyway.”
Painter features a four-pitch mix led by his dominant fastball, which can top out at 100 miles per hour. As good as the Phillies’ other five starters can be, Painter will have a spot in the rotation eventually if he pitches to his capability.
“I hope he does,” Dombrowski said. “I hope he pitches that well where it gets to that point, that he forces our hand. And he’s one of our better pitchers. That’s what we’ll end up finding out. We’ll see. A long time between now and then. You’re talking three months.”