PHILADELPHIA — Andrew Painter, a highly-touted pitching prospect for the Philadelphia Phillies, is poised to take to the mound for a minor league start this Friday, marking his return since his elbow injury in 2022 and subsequent surgery.
Now on the verge of turning 22, Painter sustained an elbow injury during the Phillies’ spring training in 2023, which necessitated Tommy John surgery later that year. Standing tall at 6-foot-7, the right-hand pitcher showcased his talents in the Arizona Fall League by making six starts, during which he allowed just four runs. In these games, he impressively struck out 18 batters over the course of 15 2/3 innings, having missed action in the previous two seasons.
Painter continues to be recognized as the seventh-best overall prospect in baseball. Back in 2022, he advanced quickly through the Phillies’ farm system, achieving a record of 6-2 with an outstanding 1.48 ERA across 26 appearances divided among two Class A teams and Double-A Reading.
On Friday, Painter will be pitching for the Class A Clearwater Threshers. Phillies manager Rob Thomson indicated on Sunday that Painter is set to pitch roughly two innings in this initial start.
The organization is adopting a cautious approach by gradually reintegrating Painter into competitive play within the minor leagues, with hopes of a potential major league debut as the summer progresses.
“We’re going to be conservative and make sure we take care of him,” stated Thomson.
Painter was originally the 13th overall selection in the 2021 amateur draft, signing with the Phillies for a $3.9 million bonus.