Andrew Painter, one of the Phillies’ top prospects, returned to action on Saturday afternoon, tossing 29 pitches in a two-inning start in the Arizona Fall League.
The 21-year-old reached triple figures with his fastball, allowing two runs and striking out a pair.
Painter’s first pitch was 98 mph and struck out 100 several times in the opening frame, popping up Mets veteran Jeff McNeil and hitting Giants first-round pick Bryce Eldridge. McNeil is using the AFL, an MLB-owned offseason league that features many top prospects, to rehab a wrist injury with hopes of making the Mets’ NLCS roster.
Painter was taken deep to start his second inning by Tigers catcher/left-handed hitting first baseman Jose Briceño. He walked the next batter on four pitches and gave up one, erased a double play ball and allowed a two-out double before striking out the last batter he faced.
More important than any outcome is that he came out of it healthy.
Painter injured his right elbow in March 2023 while competing for a spot on the Phillies’ big league roster. Just 19 years old at the time and with less than two years of high school remaining, he seemed to have the inside track on the No. 5 job until he was injured.
Painter and the Phillies initially attempted conservative rehabilitation to avoid Tommy John surgery but he eventually underwent elbow reconstruction on July 25, 2023. The Phillies’ plan all along was to take things slowly to get him back and their eyes in 2025.
If Painter is healthy, he should enter spring training again as a candidate for a rotation spot, though the Phils could also intentionally move him to build his pitch count and stamina. He only made five starts in Double A and none in Triple A, after all.
This will be a decision at four½ Months. For now, the Phillies are happy to see such an important part of their future on the mound.
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