Philadelphia Phillies Receive Ominous Outlook on Top Prospect
The Philadelphia Phillies have received a rather concerning outlook on this top prospect.
Video Transcript
So is Andrew Painter still an elite prospect for the Philadelphia Phillies?
MLB.com had him ranked as the Phillies' top prospect in each of the last three preceding years.
But Keith Law of The Athletic disagrees just a bit.
He actually has shortstop Aiden Miller ranked as the Phillies' number one farm hand heading into twenty twenty-six, and he has Painter at number two.
And he also questions if Painter will ever truly realize his ceiling, the ceiling he had prior to undergoing Tommy John surgery back in July of twenty twenty-three.
Remember, Painter missed two full minor league regular seasons in twenty twenty-three and twenty twenty-four due to the procedure.
He pitched in fall league in late twenty twenty-four and made six starts and looked pretty good.
But then last year, that full season in the Phillies system, had a five two six ERA between single A and triple A.
Didn't pitch in double A at all in twenty twenty-five, and also his WHIP was nearly one point five.
So it was definitely a concerning year for Painter.
Now, again, first year back from-- first full year back from a major procedure, so we've got to give Painter some time here, right?
He was a top prospect for a reason prior to that, and he was brilliant for the Phillies early on.
Back in twenty twenty-two, which was his first full year in the system, he had a six point two strikeout-to-walk ratio.
He was fantastic that year.
So I do think we need to give Painter some time.
He may very well be in the back end of the rotation to start twenty twenty-six, with Zach Wheeler still recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome and Ranger Surez having signed with the Red Sox this offseason.
So we may see Painter at the big league level for most, if not all, of this season.
We'll see.
It's a big test for him, but honestly, it, it wouldn't shock me if the Phillies went out and signed a veteran pitcher, like a, a Walker Buehler, to bring back for next year in order to give Painter some more time in the minor leagues to develop before putting him on the Major League level.
Because, again, he was not good this past year, and it does make you wonder about his long-term prognosis in Philadelphia.
